What Is The Fiber Optic
Association?What Is The Fiber Optic
Association?
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Fiber Optics Dominates Communications Fiber optics has become the predominant communications medium, not just for telephones, but also for cable television, security systems and computer networks. Even wireless antennas are connected on fiber. Workers in all these fields are expected to understand how fiber optics technology works and how it is used and, in many cases, be competent in its installation. Training and certification in these areas has become extremely important and The Fiber Optic Association is here to help. What is The FOA? The FOA is a international non-profit educational organization that is dedicated to promoting professionalism in the field of fiber optics. Founded in 1995 by a dozen prominent fiber optics trainers and industry personnel, it has grown to now being involved in: -
Setting standards for and administering technical
certification programs To date (11/07), the FOA has approved almost 200 training programs, including technical high schools and colleges, professional training organizations and companies offering employee training programs. Over 23,000 techs have successfully completed requirements for the FOA CFOT (Certified Fiber Optic Technician) certification. The FOA recognizes the value of certification in today's job markets, where employers evaluate potential employees by their certifications. By offering certifications that are developed by a board of industry experts and are not affiliated with any particular vendor or training organization, we provide an independent means for them to judge potential employees. The FOA has focused on helping teachers add programs on fiber optics into their current curriculum. Fiber optics has been included in courses as diverse as A+ and Cisco computer training and electrical apprenticeships. Some of the companies that use FOA certification in their own training programs include NASA, Cisco, Panduit, Daimler-Chrysler and Mead Paper. How Can The FOA Help You? For Instructors, Schools and Training Organizations - The FOA offers a range of services including instructor training and certification, technical and training materials and support that leads to becoming an "FOA-Approved Training Organization." The FOA lists all approved schools on the FOA website as a guide to students looking for quality training. The FOA "Train-The-Trainer" program leads to a new certification for fiber optic instructors, the CFOI. This program prepares instructors for creating and teaching hands-on courses for fiber optic technician training and lab courses for university level programs. Instructors receive an extensive set of training materials for both classroom and lab sessions. For Students of FOA Approved Schools - FOA Certification Programs open up job opportunities and assure customers of worker competence. Passing the various levels of the FOA certification program will demonstrate a level of competence in the fiber optics field to employers or customers, whether the worker is new to the industry or looking to move up. FOA certified techs can list their capabilities on an online database accessible to anyone needing qualified fiber optic techs. For Everyone In The Industry The FOA website offers a monthly online newsletter covering industry news and technology. The "Tech Topics" section offers an extensive library of technical information and tutorials on fiber optics. Numerous links to other relevant websites are included. And full information on the FOA and its programs are available for everyone. For More Information, check out the rest of The FOA website: |
Questions:
Call
1-760-451-3655, write
or email your questions to The FOA office. Or check out the rest
of The FOA web site.
