Cell Tower News: FCC, NATE schedule 2016 tower training and workshops

FCC and NATE reveal training, workshop schedules for 2016

As 2015 comes to a close, most businesses are looking towards the new year, announcing plans and intentions for 2016. Both the Federal Communications Commission and National Association of Tower Erectors announced plans for tower-related education opportunities for next year.

In conjunction with the Department of Labor and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the FCC announced the second in an ongoing series of tower climber safety and Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship workshops. The previous workshop took place Oct. 14, 2014. This latest workshop is set to focus on best practices guidelines for improving tower climber safety, the comments received in response to OSHA’s Request for Information on Communication Tower Safety and adoption of the TIRAP program and telecommunications workforce development.

If you’re interested in attending, here’s the details:
Date: Feb. 11, 2016
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: FCC Headquarters Commission Meeting Room 445 12th Street, SW Washington, D.C., 20554

NATE has announced training plans that extend throughout the year. There will be one “train-the-trainer course” coinciding with the NATE Unite 2016 event in New Orleans, and 11 fall prevention worker training courses across the U.S. All of the training courses will be free of charge, with the association hoping to accomplish its goal of “having a nationwide impact, helping small businesses establish a culture of safety and enhancing worker quality and safety.” Right now only the train-the-trainer and the first fall prevention courses are available for registration, but bookmark the page because it will be your resource throughout the year for sign-up and additional information.

Tower demolition

Just for fun, watch this tower demolition that took place in North Ridgeville, Ohio. Video courtesy of The Chronicle Telegram.

NATE looks back on 2015, reveals 2016 plans

On this week’s episode of Cell Tower News, NATE executive director Todd Schlekeway talks to host Joey Jackson about NATE’s accomplishments in 2015 and explained what was on tap for the organization in 2016.