Is electronics training in crisis?

"We haven't let people know what the careers are – whatever your specialty or passion," she said. "Students aren't being funneled into these programs. Schools and guidance counselors aren't familiar with what they can tell the young people."

Too often, the best and brightest students are pushed toward a four-year liberal arts institution, and two-year programs are recommended for students who aren't seen as viable college grads, Stroud said. He believes good math and science students will find worthwhile careers in electronics, and other students can learn the math and science with some old-fashioned hard work.

The telecom industry, particularly large companies, needs to be doing a better job getting the word out to educational institutions, even at the local level, Stroud and Miller said. Telecom in particular needs a new generation of technicians that can not only competently install broadband into residences but also be the front line of salespeople. Back in the monopoly days, telecom techs were welcomed into a home, he said, and had the opportunity to upsell consumers, even if that upsell was only to a Princess line phone or a white phone to match the draperies, said Stroud, who does technician training for telecom companies, including AT&T and Verizon.

"When they pulled their people out of the residence and started using contractors, they lost the ability to compete with cable," Stroud said. "If they don't get people with personality again, pleasing the customer, they won't survive. We've got to find people who are comfortable with people and teach them to communicate."