Local industry program builds on momentum, positions Rochester as a hub for fiber workforce development
Rochester, N.Y. (September 3, 2025) – Greenlight Networks, (“Greenlight”), New York’s fastest growing fiber-to-the-home internet provider, is proud to announce the launch of the second session of its Optical Telecom Installer Certification (FBA OpTIC Path™) Training Program, a tuition-free workforce initiative offered in partnership with the Rochester Educational Opportunity Center (REOC) and the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA).
The program was created to address the region’s growing demand for skilled broadband workers and to provide accessible, career-ready training for local residents. By combining nationally recognized curriculum with hands-on instruction, the partnership is strengthening Rochester’s talent pipeline while ensuring the community is well-positioned to thrive in an increasingly connected world.
The inaugural class, which launched in January 2025, was filled to capacity with 12 students. At graduation, 75 percent of job-seeking participants were placed into the workforce, including one student hired directly by Greenlight Networks. Building on that success, the second session begins September 8th, 2025, and runs through December 17th, 2025, at the SUNY Brockport–REOC campus.
A Program with Real-World Impact
This 120-hour training program is built around the FBA OpTIC Path™ curriculum and equips students with the practical skills, technical knowledge, and industry certifications needed to secure meaningful jobs in fiber optics and telecommunications. This semester, classes will be held Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:00am–12:00 p.m.
Program Highlights:
- Industry-Relevant Curriculum – Students learn the fundamentals and essentials of fiber optics, including light transmission theory, network design, splicing, and use of specialized tools.
- Hands-On Training – Students receive practical training working directly with real cables and equipment, mastering splicing, termination, testing, and troubleshooting procedures to industry standards.
- Certification Preparation – Students prepare for nationally recognized certifications including the FBA OpTIC Path™ credential increasing employment opportunities.
- Career-Focused Skills – Students learn safety protocols, schematic reading, and problem-solving skills for immediate success in the field.
- Job Placement Assistance – Students receive support as they connect with local employers through networking sessions, ensuring direct pathways into careers. Because of the incredible services provided by REOC, students also receive valuable benefits such as resume assistance, interview training, career counseling, and more.
Learning Outcomes: Graduates will be able to explain fiber transmission principles, perform splicing and connector installation, conduct end-to-end fiber testing, apply safety standards, and troubleshoot fiber optic systems in real-world environments.
The Power of Partnership
The Fiber Optic Technician program exemplifies the power of collaboration between industry and education. Greenlight Networks, FBA, and REOC have combined their expertise to deliver training that is tuition-free, relevant to employer needs, and deeply rooted in Rochester’s community.
“Our collaboration on the OpTIC Path™ program is a testament to what we can accomplish when we work together. For our communities, it means a stronger, more connected future. For students, it offers a clear path to a well-paying, long-term career. For our education partners, it provides an industry-validated curriculum that is directly linked to job opportunities. And for the fiber industry, it supplies the skilled workforce we urgently need to bring new opportunities to everyone.”– Todd Jackson, Workforce Development Director, Fiber Broadband Association
“The OpTIC Path™ training program is opening pathways to new careers. It demonstrates what’s possible when higher education, community organizations, and industry leaders align to create life-changing opportunities for the community.” – Tim Shafer, Academic Affairs Director, Rochester Educational Opportunity Center
“Fiber is the future of connectivity, and the industry is only as strong as the people who build and maintain these networks,” said Beth Delforte, Vice President – Talent Acquisition and Development, Greenlight Networks. “This program is about more than workforce training—it’s about talent pipeline and community development. We are proud to help equip Rochester residents with the skills and certifications they need to step into high-demand careers that make a lasting impact on their families and our region.”
The next session begins Monday, September 8, 2025. Admission requirements and application details are available at reoc.brockport.edu.
For more information about the Fiber Broadband Association and its nationwide workforce development efforts, visit fiberbroadband.org.
About Greenlight Networks
Greenlight Networks is an ultra-high-speed, broadband service provider, offering residential and small business customers Internet speeds of up to 8 Gigabits per second. Greenlight Networks was founded in 2011 and builds, owns, and operates a fiber-optic network that provides extremely high-speed Internet connections. The company’s high-speed fiber internet network is currently available to more than 225,000 homes and nearly 10,000 small businesses in 35 municipalities in the Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, Rochester, and Hudson Valley regions of New York, with construction underway in Northeast and South-Central Pennsylvania and across the City of Baltimore. For more information, visit GreenlightNetworks.com or find it on Facebook.com/GreenlightNetworks, and instagram.com/greenlightnetworks.
About Rochester Educational Opportunity Center
Rochester EOC has been a leader in quality, tuition-free, short-term College Preparation, Career and Technical training for adults in Rochester and surrounding areas for over 55 years. REOC is sponsored, in part, by SUNY Brockport, and offers innovative quality programs to a diverse adult population. The goal of the REOC is for its graduates to obtain placement in higher education or employment. Conveniently located at 161 Chestnut Street, the REOC offers day, evening, and online training programs. For more information, visit www.reoc.brockport.edu or find it on facebook.com/RochesterEOC, and on Instagram and TikTok @rochestereoc.
