Fiber Optics training and education can be pursued as one of the booming career courses. The utility of fiber optics in daily life cannot be ignored. Fibers are of great use when it comes to transmission of messages and hence it plays a key role in communication. This fiber optics doesn’t cause loss of information during transit and is hence preferred to metal wire. Fiber optics has immunity to electromagnetic interference which helps in the smooth delivery of sound. Optical fibers are often used to form sensors in various applications.

Present market scenario

It has been estimated that the demand for fiber optics would rise rapidly to a large extent in US. Statistics also reveal that in 2006 there has been an approximate 10.3 % growth in fiber optics equipment and systems. This figure is indeed very interesting as the demand for fiber optics in the market, in proportion to the job opportunities in the same field. During the same year it has been estimated that the US Optic fiber industry amounts to $13.7 billion. This figure is rapidly increasing with the increase in job opportunities coupled with that of the educational and training institutes in fiber optics. 32 key companies are recruiting students from the recognized fiber optics schools in respectable positions with high salary.

Some of these companies include:

• Alcatel
• CIENA
• Agere Systems
• Agilent Technologies
• Corning
• Cisco Systems
• JDS Uniphase and
• Lucent Technologies

Requirements of fiber optics technicians

Optical fiber technicians are required in various fields of operation. Their job opportunities are not limited to the telecommunication industries. Multinational firms, which are in need of secure and authentic systems to transmit data from one computer to another computer in any parts of the world, are also depended on the fiber optics technicians. Cable television companies, intelligent transportation systems and biomedical industry are also in need of such professionals.

Below are some of the tips that can help you to become a successful fiber optics hardware technician:

• To become a successful technician in this field you need to have a license for FCC radiotelephone operator, high school degree or diploma and a fiber optics hardware technician certificate. An associate degree along with these programs can also be beneficial for you.

• You can expand your job prospects by contacting several job consultancies that are specialized on fiber optics jobs. You can also enroll in a technical service program that is usually of two year. At the local community college you can carry out such training programs.

• Intermediate and fiber optics courses can also get you into favorable position. Through these courses you will be able to learn fiber optics installation, local area networking and details of fiber optic cable systems.

• If you are offered in entry level position as a hardware technician then accept the offer since during this job you would be able to learn many new things. This course would also help you to strengthen your fundamentals. You will be assigned the post for at least 3 years when it will be like your learning period.

• Fiber optics technician often needs to visit different sites of operation and therefore it is essential to have a driver’s license. Copy of the license would be asked by employers during you interview. If that is kept handy you will be in an advantageous position.

RWM online optic course:

This is a comprehensive course that includes networks, standards, grounding, boding wiring and national electrical code. The course offered by this online institute has been divided in 18 modules. The length of the course is 40 hours. Some of the courses offered by this institute is time taking, especially those that include demos on splicing and OTDR. Once you have passed out successful, the final examination, you will be given a National Certification in Fiber Optics.

FNT network training and consulting services:

This training venue has provided trainees with lots of benefits. They have launched a new web format that can be utilized in multiple ways. This training venue has got recognition from many industry associations like that of ETA and BICSI. This is one of the most prominent institutes that can train students on Fiber optics and also on the basic advancements related to fiber optics.

Engineering lab

This is another online training institute from where you can get a comprehensive course in fiber optics. This website is known for the detailed structure of the course. Students and trainees of all age groups will find the entire course comprehensive and effective. To become successful as a fiber optics technician the courses offered here will suffice. The course provided by this website includes:

• Introduction to Fiber
• Intro to Fiber Optic Networks
• Optical Amplifiers
• Principles of Fiber Optics
• Fiber Optic Channel Operation
• Fiber Optics Future

How can I start with such a career?

There are several organizations from where you can contain fiber optics training in practical. Most universities and organizations assist students with the basics of message transmission. These classes include information on various energy forms. The flow of energy through optics cords are also explained in the classes to the students. The second part of the training would be the several rates of flow of messages via fiber optic cables. The general physics of the flow is explained to students during the course.

How to arrange finances for the education?

It is unexpected that such education will ever be free of charge. The course fees always vary with the universities and institutions. Some institutions definitely charge high amounts for fiber optics education. But at the same time, there are several institutes that offer students loans and grants for such courses. Most of the governmental financial aid agencies consider fiber optics training programs as a vital area of providing monetary aids. Since fiber optics implementation is beneficial both for the students and for the society so, such organizations encourage students to pursue those courses. American Government is on the favor of fiber optics trading and implementation of it in the workplaces as well.

Fiber optic job positions:

• Research engineer
• Environmental test engineer
• Design engineer
• Production technician
• Measurement technician
• Environmental test technician
• Sales engineer
• Marketing engineer
• Application engineer
  
  

Profiles preferred:

For the position of a technician most of the companies seek people who are qualified candidates. Such people have the responsibility of setting up, testing and operating electronic components. He/she should also have knowledge in Pattern Generator Oscilloscope, Bit Error Rate Detector, Digital Analyzer, and other applications. The candidate must be capable of interpreting electronic schematics accurately. Some working experience of electrostatic discharge (ESD) concepts is always preferred.

Most of the companies expect that the employed candidates will have some prior experiences of working with optical fiber. Experiences in the other field can be used as a supplement but won’t help to a large extent. Knowledge in Outside Plant, Fluke OptiFiber OTDR, Noyes power meters, Air Blown Fiber, Fiber Fusion Splicing , Configuration Management, Fiber Terminations is always desirable for the engineers who want to get a suitable job in this filed of fiber optics. They are always highly paid and ranked according to their experience. Working with optic fiber industry is a very bright opportunity which most of the technical persons are seeking nowadays. New technologies are developing in this field and adaptations with those are placing them in a desirable position.

Recommended Fiber Optics schools

Out of several schools and training institutes, the following are referred here:

Lincoln Technical Institute, Columbia, Maryland

This technical school provides training on a wide variety of subjects which also includes Fiber Optics. Short-term training programs are designed in such a way that students can get suitable jobs. The institute had been training students since 1946 and has earned the reputation of being one of the top institutes of its stature.

Why this college?

• The college has accreditation from Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT)

• The college offers career focused training

• Practical training with sophisticated equipments

• Experienced faculty and ample training facilities

• Internship and assistance in career placement

• Financial help and scholarship for the qualified

Heald College , California Fiber Optics

This college has about 11 campuses which offer students diplomas, degrees and certification in various subjects which also includes Fiber Optics.

Students from this university enjoy positions like:

• Fiber Optic Test and Measurement Technician

• Fiber Optic Installation Technician

• Fiber Optic Cable Technician

• Fiber Optic Connector Splicing Technician

National Communications Training Center (NCTC), California

This institute is completely dedicated to Fiber Optic education and training. The leaders in the Fiber Optics industry impart lessons to the students of this industry. The graduates from this institute are qualified as fiber splicer technicians, data cable technicians, installers of fiber, assemblers of fiber cable and repair, and testing.

Why this college?

• The courses are approved by Fiber Optics Association

• The computer maintains relationships on Tel Data, Navy, Cox, US Marines, Haliburton, Aerotech and many.

Fiber optics training includes the following:

• Custom courses - These training institutions basically engage in shaping private courses according to the requirements of the student.

• Practical classes - Students are taught installation processes. They are allowed to practice construction processes and testing systems with original products. The designing classes offered by these institutes primary include interactive cases studies. Students work together in active collaboration in framing the real-world designs.

• Rich course content - Students in the learning institutions are provided presentations and manuals. The modern technologies allow the students to have a better understanding of the subject so that they can apply those in future.

• Instructions and coaching - Students get an effective guidance from the trainer who have a first hand experience of fiber optics. Personalized guidance allows students to follow the instructions in a warm atmosphere.

Fiber optics certificates:

Fiber Optics Association or FOA conducts a three level certification process;

• Basic- Certified Fiber Optic Technician for general fiber optics
• Advanced- Advanced Fiber Optic Technician
• Specialist- Certified Fiber Optic Specialist

Fiber Optic Certified Professional Programs is certified by FiberOptic.com. This is an online based fiber optics certification program. Fiber optics technicians with such certificates are always seen a different light in the industry.

VDA academy.com presets a wide package of self study programs, which if the student can follow, would get to learn in volumes. This academy organizes a basic course based on fiber optics technician manuals. At the completion of the course the trained fiber optic technicians are provided certificates through FOA CFOT. This course guarantees that they can build up skilled fiber optic technicians who would posses a detailed understanding of fiber optics.

Stages of training:

• The course begins with an instruction in network and fiber theory.

• The courseware has vivid illustrations and provides a detailed instruction. The subject matter of the courseware consists of safety, network topologies, fiber termination, connectors, network theories and testing.

• The students are then taught a lesson on cable and its parts in details.

• Fiber termination tools sets is the next lesson that the student head towards. This lesson primarily explains in details the polishing tools, 100x Fiber Microscope, Fiber Stripper, Multi-Wire Stripper, Tweezers, Sapphire Scribe and so on.

• In the next class students are taught as how to replace manual, cable and parts. If the school or the individual has a license for a site then the instructor can also distribute copies of the manual in the schools.

General view of the core courses offered:

Below are some of the courses offered by most of the fiber optic training institutes:

• General fiber optics demos - At this level, students are given a demonstration on fiber optics in a classroom environment by the professional trainers. These trainings are basically of vocational and elementary level.

• Cable installation - Instruction details are available online or given to the students in DD-ROM.

• Intermediate Fiber optic Course and lab course - An advanced course on fiber optics is given to the students at initial level. They learn about the fiber optics used for industrial purposes. This course is imparted to students at the vocational schools at the university level.

• Fiber optic Mini course - This is basically a crash course where students are briefed on the history of fiber optics followed by a practical class.

Books for enhancing knowledge in fiber optics:

Books are always the best knowledge enhancers and when it comes to fiber optics there are an ample set available for students pursuing any level of education. Some such books are referred below:

• Understanding fiber optics - This book has a non technical and non theoretical approach that explains technical details related to fibers.

• Troubleshooting optical-fiber networks - this book explains some of the useful tools that can be used for detecting problems with optic fibers.

• Fiber optic video transmission - this book provides a complete lesson on the ways of transmitting video over fiber which would also incorporate broader coverage.

Apart from these other books include, fiber optic reference guide, fiber optic installer’s field manual, industrial fiber optics networks, coherent optical communications systems etc.