2026 Agenda

Grab your lunch and join us in Room W315 on Level 3 to tune in to a lively discussion on the stage covering a non-technical topic and share your thoughts with fellow peers in this informal environment. Lunch and Learn is a great opportunity to maximize the value of attending IWCE!

At a recent conference, we polled the audience. ~40% of the attendees indicated that they would be retiring in the next 10 years. We then asked the ~400 attendees how many of them were under 40 years of age. Only one raised their hand.

In my organization, of the 26 staff only 2 are under 40 years of age. Many of the owner, operator and maintenance organizations in the area are in the relatively the same bind.

In the past there were many colleges and vocational schools where someone could get their education in wireless technologies. Over the last 20 years the number of educational institutions has greatly dropped off. Educators are seeing a dropping enrollment, not from the lack of jobs, but the lack of direction from career/school counselors. Colleges and trade schools cannot continue programs that are financially feasible.

The military has been a great source of good candidates. Can we leverage our veterans to fill these positions? Who else could be the right fit?

The session is to leverage ideas, experiences and strategies to encourage people to look at the wireless industry as a career.

Takeaway

1. Recognition that there is a problem in the near future.
2. Reflection on what skillsets a potential employee needs to have.
3. What you can do to make the education system more aware of the need.
4. What pipelines are available today from similar industries.
5. How to recruit and retain staff.