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About

Building the Future of Telecommunications

The CWA District Nine Apprenticeship & Training Trust Fund (CWA-ATTF) is a joint labor-management partnership formed by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the American Communications Contractors Association (ACCA). Together, we are committed to developing a highly skilled, safety-certified, and job-ready workforce for the growing telecommunications and fiber optic industries.

We operate a California and federally approved Registered Apprenticeship Program, designed to meet the evolving needs of public and private infrastructure projects, including the expansion of broadband access across the state.

What We Offer

Our apprenticeship program combines:

  • 4,500 hours of employer-provided on-the-job training

  • College-level classroom instruction in partnership with the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District

  • Industry-recognized certifications in telecommunications, structured cabling, fiber optic splicing, and OSHA safety standards

Apprentices also earn college credit toward a degree while completing the program—all at no cost to employers or participants.

Certified to Serve California

We are registered with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and approved by the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) to operate in all counties north of and including Kern County.

Our apprentices and partner employers contribute to high-impact public works initiatives like the Middle Mile Broadband Initiative (MMBI) and other fiber expansion efforts—where certified labor is not just preferred, but required.

Our Mission

To create equitable, high-quality career opportunities in the telecommunications industry by:

  • Training a workforce that is technically skilled, OSHA-compliant, and future-ready

  • Supporting employers, unions, and community stakeholders in strengthening the broadband workforce

  • Providing a pathway for individuals to earn, learn, and advance into sustainable, long-term careers

Who We Serve

Whether you’re a prospective apprentice, a union leader, a telecom contractor, or a community organization, we’re here to help you build the next generation of certified telecom professionals.

The Instruction

The Instruction, supplementing the training on the job, gives apprentices a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical aspects of their work. Related instruction is one of the fundamental features of apprenticeship and has been developed and accepted as standard practice in every trade.

The Program requires students to attend classes for at least 108 hours per year (2 semesters). In class apprentices learn the theories and hands on applications and each day on the job they learn the practical applications under the supervision of skilled workers.

  • OSHA-30 (Cert.)
  • Lock Out/Tag Out (Cert.)
  • Confined Space (Cert.)
  • First Aid/ CPR (Red Cross)
  • General Safety
  • Structured Cabling (Placing, Pulling and terminating UTP Cabling)
  • Color Codes
  • TIA/EIA
  • Fiber Optics
  • National Electrical Code
  • Fire Stopping
  • Paging Systems
  • Closed Antenna Systems (CATV)
  • Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS)
  • Computer Literacy
  • Computer Networking
  • Network Video/Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)
  • Intrusion Systems
  • Access Control Systems
  • Blueprint Reading
  • Audio Visual
  • Grounding and Bonding