LOCAL JOBS
Spectrum is offering a way to kickstart one’s career for those tech savvy and motivated individuals. The Spectrum Field Technician Apprentice Program does not require prior experience and offers full-time benefits. It is also an easily transferable career option for Veterans, and offers them additional advantages as well. There are currently eight employees enrolled in the apprentice program in Hays County.
“The Spectrum Field Technician Apprentice Program is a career progression program that we developed with the Department of Labor and the Department of Veterans Affairs,” Steven Ponichtera, Spectrum Regional Technical and Safety Training manager, said. “This apprenticeship is a blend of classroom training, self-study and hands-on learning in the field, which upon completion earns them a Broadband Field Technicians Certificate from the Department of Labor.”
Megan Gonzales is currently in the program as a Level Four apprentice and said the program appealed to her since she was going to school for website development.
“I wanted to work with Spectrum because it seemed like it was an amazing opportunity to help me grow professionally and personally,” Gonzales said. “I just really like the hands-on experience with it.”
Once an applicant is accepted as a Field Technician at Spectrum, they will go through an 11week initial training. The apprentice begins as a level 1 Field Technician after the training is completed.
“The apprenticeship program can take as little as 28 months to complete, but it truly depends on the time each person chooses to invest in it,” Ponichtera said. “All Field Technicians who take part in the apprenticeship are Spectrum employees and receive full-time benefits, but as they progress through the program and pass certain required tests and evaluations, they are awarded raises and promotions as Field Technicians all the way up to a Level 5 Field Technician.”
Applicants don’t need to have any prior experience but must be tech-savvy and career motivated.
Gonzales said the apprenticeship has grown her troubleshooting and problem solving skills.
“I’ve had a lot of experiences and have gained [a lot of new skills] from working with this company. Every day is something new,” Gonzales said. “I plan on going back to school with their guild opportunity to do cyber security, [which the company pays for].”
The program is a popular choice for Veterans as their military technical skills can be easily transferred to the skills needed for a Field Technician.
“They are also able to use a portion of their GI Bill benefits as they participate in the apprenticeship program, while remaining full-time Spectrum employees,” Ponichtera said. “Our company also has great resources for Veterans transitioning into civilian life through our Veterans Business Resource Group, which allows them to connect with other Veterans at our company.”
Anyone interested in a job as a Field Technician and our apprenticeship program can go to the Spectrum website at jobs. spectrum.com/apprenticeship where one can click on the call-to-action button and send their information. A recruiter will be in touch with more information about our program.
