Internet access has become an indispensable part of our lives and our expectations for high speed communications have grown. Optical fibre plays a key role in most service providers’ plans to satisfy the demand for fast broadband services. Technologies such as ADSL and VDSL that provide high speed broadband over copper wires are also still important especially where the use of fibre is uneconomic.

PTT’s unrivalled catalogue of online telecoms related courses includes several courses dealing with the technologies that allow high speed Internet access:

PTT’s new course FAB: “Optical access networks”  concentrates on the practical aspects of installing and testing fibre to the home (FTTH) connections. It also describes fibre to the building (FTTB) and fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) installations. This interactive course was developed with co-operation from leading FTTx equipment manufacturers ensuring its accuracy and relevance.

The companion course FAA: “Passive optical networks” describes how fibre connections are shared by a number of customers using GPON or EPON techniques.

The just released updated course DLA: “ADSL principles” discusses the limitations of existing copper-wire access networks and describes how ADSL and VDSL techniques maximise data transfer rates over copper pairs.

This course joins its companion course DLB: “DSL systems” which provides an in-depth investigation of the structure, functional components, operation and testing of systems that provide DSL services to customers.

In the UK there is a reawakened interest in Apprenticeships as a way of addressing skills shortages. Apprenticeships include on-the-job learning and assessment as well as elements which deliver the underpinning knowledge that is necessary to work effectively. 

Delivering some aspects of an apprenticeship depend on the availability of skilled trainers with the appropriate industrial, technical knowledge but these are a scarce resource.

PTT has used its years of experience of vocational training in the telecoms sector to design a cost-effective and innovative way of delivering the technical knowledge component of a telecommunications apprenticeship.

More about that solution and more general information at www.ptt.co.uk/apprenticeship.html

This innovative online study programme is ideal for those joining the telecommunications sector with a technical role and is unique in providing a recognised telecoms qualification without the need to attend a college or training centre.

The programme has been endorsed by the nationally accredited qualification awarding body, EDI which means that participants can achieve a qualification after their online studies and employers can be assured of the quality of the training provision.

The programme consists of a combination of interactive courses, tutor support and assessment all delivered online. The programme includes a core element studied by everyone and a choice of one of three specialisations: mobile communications, telephony and data communications.

After successful completion of this level 3 programme, participants are awarded a certificate by EDI.

More information at www.telecomsqualification.com