BSCTC ANNOUNCES DATES FOR FIBER OPTIC TRAININGS

Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) has announced new dates for its fiber optics training program.

The program is part of the Kentucky Telecommunications Installation and Maintenance Training program, a collaboration between BSCTC and the University of Pikeville (UPIKE).

BSCTC will offer three industry-leading certifications Certified Fiber Optic Technician (24 hours, three days), Certified Fiber Optic Specialist in Testing and Maintenance (16 hours, two days) and Certified Fiber Optic Splicing Specialist (16 hours, two days). All classes are sanctioned by the Fiber-Optics Association (FOA) and classes will be taught be Austin, Texas-based BDI DataLynk, an internationally recognized fiber optic training company.

The offering of these fiber optic certificates times perfectly with the construction of the Kentucky Information Highway, said BSCTC President Dr. Devin Stephenson. The Kentucky Information Highway project is expected to start this year and bring world-class connectivity (dark fiber) to the region. The installation, maintenance and long-term job prospects are good and we are equipping students with a global trade that is in high demand.

A Certified Fiber Optic Technician course will run from September 28-30 on BSCTCs Pikeville campus. Other classes are scheduled for October 5-7, October 19-21, November 9-11, November 30-December 2 and December 14-16.

A Certified Fiber Optic Specialist in Testing and Maintenance course will run from October 1-2 on BSCTCs Pikeville campus. Other classes are scheduled for October 8-9, October 22-23, November 12-13, December 3-4 and December 17-18.

A Certified Fiber Optic Splicing Specialist course will run from October 3-4 on BSCTCs Pikeville campus. Other classes are scheduled for October 10-11, October 24-25, November 14-15, December 5-6 and December 19-20.

Kelli Hall, Pikeville campus coordinator and director of Workforce Solutions and the Kentucky Coal Academy at BSCTC, said the fiber optic trainings will provide new opportunities for employment in the region and beyond.

The skills acquired in our trainings will be world-class and cutting edge, she said. Those who complete this program will be on the front lines of putting our region on the right side of the digital divide.

For more information, contact Kelli Hall at 606-218-1275 or email kelli.hall@kctcs.edu or Sally Porter at (606) 218-1276 or email sporter0044@kctcs.edu.

Heres a breakdown of certifications offered through the Kentucky Telecommunications Installation and Maintenance program at Big Sandy Community and Technical College:

Certified Fiber Optics Technician (CFOT)

Thisthree-day Certified Fiber Optics TechnicianCourse explores the theory and history of fiber optics datatransmissionandis designedfor anyone wanting to becomecertified in the basic installation, troubleshooting and testing techniques of installed fiber optics networks as required per industry standards. Certification Exams (both written and hands-on) are administered and graded at no additional cost at the end of the session. This program includes 85% hands-on activitiesby allowing the student to build and test his/her own fiber optics network.This courseis sanctioned by the Fiber OpticAssociation (FOA).

Certified Fiber Optics Specialist in Testing amp; Maintenance (CFOS/T)

A focal point inthis two-dayprogram is to offer a general, easy to understand, approach to fiber optics testing standards with little theory and considerable hands on activities. This comprehensive program explains the variety of testing standards, equipment, and technological approaches used in fiber network testing and maintenance andhow to choose among them. This 85% hands-on course includes a detailed study of fiber network testing and troubleshooting procedures, OTDR fundamentals and uses, OTDR vs. Insertion Loss Testing, Return Loss Testing, and Attenuation testing using the Power Source and Light Meter.Certification Exams (both written and hands-on) are administered and graded at no additional cost at the end of the session.This course is sanctioned by the Fiber OpticAssociation (FOA).

Certified Fiber optics Specialist in Splicing (CFOS/S)

This two-day Splicing Specialist Trainingincludes apresentation explaining the importance of high performance splicing and further details the points necessary to achieve these splices. The depth of this presentation is much greater than most textbooks and provides background information about splicing that is very important to the student. An overview of OTDR functions and trace understanding is also provided during this presentation. 95% hands-on classroom activities will provide training in both fusion and mechanical splicing of single modefiber optic cables.The student will be responsible for successfully making and testingfiber opticmechanical and fusion splices. In addition to the basic splicing activities outlined above, the student will further be required to correctly and efficiently install spliced fibersinto splice trays and trays intoenclosures. The student will further be required to achieve a splice loss of less than 0.15 dB for all splices and demonstrate proficiency in interpretation of splice loss using OTDR splice tracesduring troubleshooting and repair session. This courseis sanctioned by the Fiber OpticAssociation (FOA).

For more information contact Kelli Hall at(606) 218-1275or emailkelli.hall@kctcs.edu or Sally Porter at (606) 218-1276 or email sporter0044@kctcs.edu.