Wisconsin tribe, local college debut apprenticeship program

Training focuses on improving broadband access

Bret Anne Serbin

October 22, 2026

In rural northern Wisconsin, an effort bringing together the Mole Lake Sokaogon Chippewa Community and Nicolet College is intended to address broadband coverage issues in the region.

Katie Thoresen with Wisconsin Public Radio reported that the tribe committed $72 million this year to create a 900-mile fiber optic cable network to serve some 4,600 homes. A new apprenticeship program will feed the pipeline of technicians needed to work on the network, which is expected to take shape over the next four years.

The yearlong apprenticeship program to become a broadband service technician is expected to get up and running in the spring of 2027. The college offers an online application and resources to learn more about the new program.

1.KATIE THORESEN. Local tribe partners with Nicolet College to create broadband apprenticeship program. Wisconsin Public Radio, Oct. 20, 2026.

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1.KATIE THORESEN. Local tribe partners with Nicolet College to create broadband apprenticeship program. Wisconsin Public Radio, Oct. 20, 2026.

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