How a Small Tool is Making a Big Impact in Network Cabling Training

At Goodwill Central Oklahoma, we believe in hands-on learning that leads to real opportunity. Our network cabling training program is designed to do exactly that—equip individuals with in-demand, technical skills that open doors to careers in the skilled trades and tech infrastructure industries.

Recently, we received a donation of Fluke testing equipment, and while that may not sound exciting to the average person, it’s a total game-changer for how we teach.

Let me explain.

In cabling, precision matters. Whether you’re terminating an RJ45 jack or testing the length and integrity of a cable run, you need tools that show you what’s happening inside the wires—what you can’t see with the naked eye. That’s where this testing gear comes in.

Our students are now using these tools in real-time to identify and correct wiring errors, test for signal loss, and understand how electromagnetic interference affects data quality. These are concepts they used to only read about—now they get to see and solve them firsthand.

And that’s the magic of hands-on, skills-based learning. It builds confidence, competence, and career readiness.

The donation wasn’t just a box of tools. It was a vote of confidence from the industry—a recognition that programs like ours are preparing the next generation of network technicians, one wire at a time.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking for a new path, workforce development programs like this one are helping Oklahomans build careers they can be proud of—and we’re just getting started.

—Jacob Ruble
Training Specialist, Goodwill Central Oklahoma