Company: Calix
Company Description: Calix cloud and software platforms enable service providers of all types and sizes to innovate and transform. Our customers utilize the real-time data and insights from Calix platforms to simplify their businesses and deliver experiences that excite their subscribers. The resulting growth in subscriber acquisition, loyalty, and revenue creates more value for their businesses and communities.
Nomination Category: New Product & Service Categories - Technology Solutions
Nomination Sub Category: Corporate Learning/Workforce Development Solution
 Nomination Title: Calix's Broadband Workforce Transformation
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the nominated new or new-version product or service, OR written answers to the questions for this category? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this first question: If this is a brand-new product, state the date on which it was released. If this is a new version of an existing product, state the date on which the update was released:
In March 2023, Calix launched its Broadband Workforce Transformation initiative, aimed at addressing the broadband industry’s critical skills gap while fostering long-term community health, wellness, and prosperity in the digital age. With an expected need for 58,000 skilled workers over the next 5 to 7 years and one-third of the current workforce retiring in the next decade, broadband service providers (BSPs) face mounting challenges. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report highlights that 61% of workers will need retraining by 2027, meaning that broadband service providers must rethink traditional approaches to workforce development.
Over the past two years, the Calix Success Education team worked closely with customers, educators, tribal nations, and industry leaders to conduct a thorough needs analysis and ensure that our approach is both thoughtful and effective. This approach to human-centered, data-driven design has shaped the foundation of our work and reflects our commitment to developing transformative solutions that help broadband service providers develop the workforce of now and the future.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this second question: Describe the features, functions, and benefits of the nominated product or service (up to 350 words):
Total 313 words used.
Calix is a leading provider of cloud and software platforms, systems, and services for broadband service providers. Our mission is to connect everyone, everywhere through ethical, equitable, and safe broadband solutions that transform society one community at a time.
Our Broadband Workforce Transformation initiative has been guided by three core pillars —1) increasing broadband career awareness, 2) removing cost and equipment barriers to world-class technical education, and 3) creating clear pathways to long-term career success for broadband professionals of all backgrounds.
Our solution includes the following features:
Calix University: An online customer learning platform offering world-class eLearning courses, instructor-led trainings (ILTs), resources, and certifications to help broadband service stay up to date on the latest Calix solutions and products.
Workforce Transformation Page: A complementary resource hub in Calix University featuring new courses, self-assessments, curated industry curriculum, and monthly expert-led guidance sessions to help customers find, upskill, retain, and scale their teams.
Cybersecurity Awareness: Complimentary eLearning courses and ILTs on cloud security, ransomware prevention, and risk management to help service providers protect their businesses, networks, and communities. Content was developed in partnership with CISA from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Education Partner Program: Complimentary Calix University access, enterprise learning subscriptions, certifications, virtual labs, and consults for those preparing the broadband workforce of now and the future (up to $20K in value). Available to all tribal-led service providers, technical colleges, universities, high-schools, maker labs, and other community-based learning centers.
Skillable Labs: No equipment? No problem. Skillable virtual labs alleviate cost and equipment barriers and allow learners to build confidence and gain familiarity with the latest Calix solutions in a fully customizable sandbox environment.
Industry Partnerships & Cross-Partner Amplification: We have partnered with leading industry non-profits and curriculum providers including the N50 Project/Geeks without Frontiers, Fiber Optic Association, and Connect Humanity to amplify our reach and support broadband workforce transformation on a global scale.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this third question: Outline the market performance, critical reception, and customer satisfaction with the product or service to date. State monetary or unit sales figures to date, if possible, and how they compare to expectations or past performance. Provide links to laudatory product or service reviews. Include some customer testimonials, if applicable (up to 350 words):
Total 307 words used.
Our Broadband Workforce Transformation initiatives have achieved significant milestones so far, reinforcing our commitment to serving the broadband workforce of now and the future. Through our Education Partner Program, we have strategically partnered with 18 organizations—6 educational institutions and 12 tribal-led service providers—to provide complimentary access to industry-leading workforce training through Calix University.
Our education partners have completed 548 courses to date, leveraging our comprehensive eLearning curriculum, instructor-led classes, and hands-on virtual labs. These resources have empowered organizations to bridge the broadband skills gap and prepare future professionals for high-demand roles.
The market value of the resources we gave complimentary access to was significant (valued at $20,000/year per org) but equitable access was in alignment with our commitment to scalable, scenario-based learning experiences for all.
This outreach has driven measurable impact, leading to a 326.92% increase in overall engagement across Calix University since 2023.
We have scaled hands-on software learning to 7,500+ students with Skillable labs.
Customer feedback underscores the impact of our training:
“The instructor-led training classes are amazing and professionally done. I also love the ‘Sandbox’ style lab sessions—it’s about as real-world as it can get. Our faculty are looking forward to more learning opportunities with Calix!”
—Michael Benjamin, Program Director & Instructor (Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies), Mitchell Technical College
“As our company shifts focus to more cloud-based solutions, this Cloud Security Essentials course was very helpful in recognizing the security aspect behind the software solutions we use and the responsibilities of both customers and cloud service providers.”
—IT Professional, CP-Tel Network Services
- You have the option to answer this final question: Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 198 words used.
Please find attached the following links and documents to support Calix’s submission to the Corporate Learning/Workforce Development Solution category.
Mitchell Technical College (Mitchell, SD) was one of the first institutions to join our Education Partner Program. This May 2024 blog post provides insight into the development of this program and highlights positive feedback from faculty.
As a sponsor of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance's Tribal Broadband Boot Camps, we empower participants to develop and maintain critical broadband infrastructure in underserved communities. The program's impact was featured in a July 2024 Associated Press news article.
In October 2024, Skillable published a success story and webinar showcasing how Calix utilizes virtual labs to deliver scenario-based learning experiences that prepare learners for on-the-job success – without the need for expensive training equipment.
Lastly, we have attached a separate document featuring customer testimonials from selected Calix University courses (2023-2024), and a PDF with images of our workforce transformation resources.
We appreciate your time in reviewing these materials.
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