The Fiber Optic Association - JATC Instructor Procedures

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To Instructors of The NJATC Apprenticeship Program: The Fiber Optic Association's partnership with NJATC means that Your Apprenticeship Program is "FOA Approved" and you can now offer FOA certification to all your Apprentices (and local journeymen.) Each local can offer the FOA CFOT (Certified Fiber Optic Technician ) Certification program, which tests knowledge, training and practical experience in fiber optics to all apprentices.   Who Can Take The FOA CFOT Exam? All your apprentices make take the FOA CFOT exam once they complete the fiber optic portions of the apprenticeship program. The FOA will also allow locals to administer the exam to properly experienced journeymen wishing to stand for the CFOT Certification   What do you need to do to get started offering CFOT Certification?   First Step: Register with the FOA. All NJATC locations have been "pre-approved" so you only need to register your local with the FOA. Download this form and submit it to the FOA.   Second Step: Your Instructors must be FOA Certified (CFOT) All NJATC instructors teaching fiber optics will need to pass the basic FOA Certified Fiber Optic Technician (CFOT) certification exam for their location to be approved. An FOA training program and the CFOT exam will be given prior to NTI 2005 and at other FOA registered sites. These classes may also be offered at other times and places at NJATC's request. The FOA CFOT exam is a test of basic knowledge based on the FOA textbook, The Fiber Optic Technicians Manual (FOTM), which can be purchased directly from the FOA. Instructors already experienced in fiber optics should review the FOTM text and study guide but should have no problem passing the exam. Instructors who are not as experienced in fiber optics, the FOA will be offering a preparation class for the exam covering "hands-on" fiber optics and the FOA's "Train the Trainer" seminar at NTI 2005. The FOA will also create a guide for NJATC instructors and online study aids for those studying for the exam or teaching courses All instructors must renew their membership annually to maintain their CFOT status.   Third Step: Advance your Professionalism wih FOA's Advanced Fiber Optic Instructor Certification The FOA is also rolling out an Advanced Instructor Certification ­ the first in the industry - and the NJATC members will be among the first to take advantage of it. (here are details)     More "Set-Up Details: The FOA Approved School Website All FOA Approved Schools are listed on the website and insure potential students can contact you Go to http://www.thefoa.org/foa_aprv.htm to view the list of FOA Approved Schools.   What is the Cost? There is no cost for you to administer the FOA CFOT program The CFOT certification is $25. per applicant per year There is no initial charge for Instuctors to receive the CFOT certification. Renewal fee for both students and instrutors is $50 per year, $80 for 2 years. $100 for 3 years.   Here's How the Program Works: Download this form and submit it to the FOA. Each JATC will be provided with a CD-ROM with all the materials you will need to administer the CFOT test to your students.   On the CD-ROM you will find: CFOT Test: This is the key folder you will need ­ it contains two versions of the CFOT test of 100 multiple choice questions, answer sheets for students and a grading masters for the instructor   Certificate: This folder contains samples of how your certificates should look.   FOA Logos: FOA, FOA-Approved, CFOT, CFOI and CFOS Logos to include on your own certificates. Letterhead, brochures, etc.   FOA Brochure: A copy of the FOA brochure which explains all the FOA programs. You can print these yourself and hand to to students, use to recruit students or simply as handout material on fiber optics   CFOS Advanced Tests: Advanced CFOS certification requirements, application, tests and answers When you have your CFOT program up and running, you can add this more advanced program   Print Your Own Materials You print your own applications, exams and certificates. We have included exams in both MS Word and PDF formats to insure compatibility with your computer and printer. The FOA does not provide certificates. When you pass on the student applications, we send each CFOT an ID card confirming their certification. For certificates, you should add the appropriate FOA logo, included in the CD-Rom, and follow the samples we have provided for CFOT or CFOS certification.   Administering the Exam This is a closed book exam with no specified time limit. There are 100 questions and you can expect the students to take approximately an hour to complete the exam. There are 2 versions of the CFOT test. This allows you to assign different tests to a group of students.   Registering Each Student with the FOA When you become an Approved School, you will receive a 3-digit code. You create an FOA CFOT number for each student, always 7 digits long, starting with the 3 digit school code. When you create certificates, each student has their own number. This number stays with the student, each certification the student receives has the same number.   Sending Information And Payment To The FOA For each class, compile all the applications, with the assigned member/CFOT number and a check for the number of students times the $25 student member fee and send to the FOA. (One check for the batch, not individual student checks, please). You can also pay by credit card if you desire.   Student Registration Procedures Please print clearly Please submit student information correctly. We need valid addresses for each student so we can send them an ID card and confirmation of their certification. Students should be told that they need to send us address corrections so we can keep their certifications up-to-date Please include e-mail addresses whenever available.   What Is A Passing Grade? To pass the CFOT exam, the student must answer 70% of questions correctly. If they fail the exam, they have two more opportunities to pass it. Encourage them to study the FOA textbook, The Fiber Optic Technicians Manual, on which the exam is based, before taking it again. For retesting, use a different exam (A or B) from the one the student used the first time.   Course Approval And Renewal There is an annual Approved School renewal process to insure the course and instructors continue to meet FOA requirements. (There is no charge for school renewal) If you change any contact information at your training facility ­ address, phone, fax, email, website or instructor ­ PLEASE notify us of the changes immediately. We will update the FOA Approved Schools listing on the website and insure potential students can contact you! We will be sending you an annual questionaire to confirm you are still offering the course, how it may have changed and who your current instructors are. This questionaire will also ask for material we can post on the FOA website.   Questions? Please e-mail your questions and comments to info@thefoa.org, call 1-760-451-3655 or fax: 1-781-207-2421   Note the office is in California and the hours are 10AM-5PM Pacific Time!   We look forward to meeting you at NTI when we will offer a TTT course during NTI week and a CFOT hands-on prep course the weekend before! Check out the resources in the column to the left.

(C) 2005, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

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