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 through education, certification and standards. Founded in 1995 by a dozen prominent fiber optics trainers and industry personnel, it has grown to now being involved in:


To date (September, 2011), the FOA has approved almost 250 training programs in more than 30 countries, including technical high schools and colleges, professional training organizations, major fiber optic manufacturers and companies offering employee training programs. Over 35,000 techs have successfully completed requirements for FOA certifications. FOA certifications are recognized in most countries around the world.

The World's Largest Compilation of Fiber Optic Information - Free

The FOA has worked since its inception to create a compilation of technical information on fiber optics and make it available to everyone. While there are thousands of pages of technical information on fiber optics on the web, most of it is marketing-oriented, making it difficult to get unbiased information. The FOA can call on its membership which includes some of the most experienced and qualified people in the industry to create technical information that is indeed unbiased and written in a fashion that is easily understood. The FOA Online Reference Guide has become the largest and busiest technical website on fiber optics and is available in printed and eBook formats.

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 Corning, AFL, IBEW/NECA, CWA, NASA, Cisco, Panduit, Daimler-Chrysler and Mead Paper.

What Is The Value Of FOA Certification?
Certification means that someone gets a certificate, and there are many different reasons they may receive one and from what kind of organization they get it from. The value of a certification depends on its source.
  • Manufacturers often offer certification to customers, sometimes requiring it as part of an affiliates program. Training focuses on the manufacturer's products and is given by applications engineers or sales personnel. Standards for qualifying for a manufacturer's certification vary, sometimes only requiring attendance at a short training course. Today many large fiber optic manufacturers offer FOA certifications.
  • Some companies specialize in offering certifications; they are basically testing companies that have specialists create certification exams in many different fields in which they believe there is interest in such a product. They are not specialists in the technologies for which they test. They may or may not create and sell training curriculum. Instructor qualification and training also varies.
  • Professional societies often offer certifications in the technology of their interest. They can call on experts in the technology to create complete programs focused on that technology that ensure the certified members are highly knowledgeable and competent. The FOA joins IEEE, ISA, SCTE and other professional societies in offering recognized technical certifications.
The FOA is the international professional society for fiber optics and cabling. The FOA goal is to improve the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) of professionals in this technical field. We are classified as a non-profit educational organization. We set standards for training, require instructors to be FOA-certified and only approve schools which meet our high academic and professional standards. We invite experienced workers to join the FOA directly but all must have proper credentials and pass the appropriate FOA certification exams. FOA advisors are experienced (many have been in the fiber business as long as it has been a business) and working in the field every day, so FOA curriculum, reference materials and certification all are the most up to date possible.
The goal of the FOA is to assure you that an FOA-certified person is highly qualified for working in the field of fiber optics; someone you can hire with confidence.


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 join the FOA LinkedIn network.

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:

www.TheFOA.org



Questions:
Call 1-760-451-3655, write or email your questions to The FOA office. Or check out the The FOA web site.


 

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