Overview
Telecommunications is a general term for a vast array of technologies that send information over distances. It encompasses such technologies as Mobile phones, land lines, satellite phones and voice over Internet protocol (VoIP).
Telecommunication is an important part of the world economy and the telecommunication industry’s contribution was estimated to be $1.2 trillion.
It was one of the fastest growing industries in the last century and will continue to grow exponentially into the future.
It is a fast paced, exciting area of technology that has allowed the computer to grow from a games console in the 1970s to a unit that connects us via the World Wide Web we take for granted today.
A career in this industry is not only challenging but consistent as technology that relies on communications is now so engrained into our daily life that life without mobile phones and the internet is almost unthinkable.
So, where do you start?
Here in Australia we have a very strong regulatory environment that mandates WHO can work on a telecommunications network and WHAT can be connected to that network. In order to work on a telecommunications network you require a cabling Registration as a minimum. This is a mandatory Requirement.
There are three registration types
1. Lift Registration
- For Technicians who wish to install Telephones in Lift Cars
2. Restricted Registration
- For Technicians who mainly work in Domestic Installations (With restrictions)
3. Open Registration
- For Technicians wishing to work in commercial premises installing
- Network Cabling, Fibre Optics and Telecommunications Equipment.
- (Note specialist cabling such as UTP and Optical fibre can only be installed by technicians who hold the appropriate endorsements on their registration)
The Open Registration is considered to be Basic Training that allows a technician after successful completion to move into many different areas of the industry. Information on the Open Registration can be found here.
Since July 2013, the Open Registration alone is not enough if a technician wishes to work on specialist cables such as UTP, FTP or optical fibre. In order to work on these type of cabling systems a technician must also hold the relevant endorsements. At Comtech we run a Combined endorsement course which on successful completion allows a technician to apply to a cabling registrar to have those endorsements added to their open registration. Details of the Combined Endorsement Course can be found by clicking here.
A more comprehensive way of completing all the necessary courses is as part of a full Qualification. The ICT30515 – Certificate III in Telecommunications Technology covers off all the requirements and will give the technician a formal qualification on successful completion. For more information on the Certificate III qualification click here.
Types of industry areas and job roles applicable to these courses and Qualifications
1. Network Cabling Technician – including but not limited to the installation of:
- UTP – Category Five, Six and Seven
- Fibre Optic Installations
- Smart Home Networks
2. Installation Technician / Service Engineer
- Wireless Networks
- Telephone Systems
- Computer Networks
- ADSL Configuration
3. Audio Video technician
- Configuring Smart Networks
- Home Integration including Audio and Video Systems
4. Pre / Post Sales Engineer
- Network Design
In order to move into some of the above categories other specialist courses will need to be completed after the Open Registration Course.
1. Structured Cabling Course
- Allowing a technician to understand the basic fundamentals of data transmission on a structured cabling system including installation practices and testing.
2. Fibre Optic Course
- Allowing a technician to understand the basic fundamentals of data transmission on a Fibre Optic cabling system including installation practices and testing.
3. Working with IP Networks
- This Course takes a Technician or Electrician through the technical requirements that are needed to install IP enabled devices onto an IP Network or ADSL Circuit. The content was developed to help the technician to understand the concept of Network Terminology.
4. Network Infrastructure Design Course
- This course is a high level Network Infrastructure Design Course, allowing a student to competently design a cabling infrastructure to AS/NZS standards. On completion a student will have tha ability to analyse user requirements and design a telecommunications infrastructure to suit.
All courses inlcude units of competency which are nationally recognised and form part of the ICT19 Training package. These units of competency can form part of a range of qualifcations including the Certificate III in Telecommunications (ICT30519)
For more information on this course please contact us by submitting a course enquiry from the top of this page.
FAQs
Q1. Do I need to do an electrical apprenticeship before I can become a Telecommunications technician?
A1. No. The area of telecommunications is now recognised as a separate entity and industry having its own Industry Representation and Traineeships.
Q2. What are my chances of gaining employment in this industry?
A2. Telecommunications is so much a part of our daily life from its use at home to the heavy reliance the commercial world imposes on its infrastructure. Skilled Telecommunications engineers who have a passion for technology and an appetite for self growth and learning are always in high demand.
Q3. How long will it take me to become a qualified technician with a reasonable amount of experience?
A3. The average time allowing for training in the field is between three and four years depending on the level of exposure to new technologies
Q4. Are there any pre requisites or age limitations that need to be addressed?
A4. There are no pre requisites but it is advantageous to have a basic knowledge of electrical theory and Operating Hand Tools. Comtech Training can organise for a potential student to do a short course on basic electrical principals and basic electronics as well as operating hand tools safely before starting out with an Open Registration.
There are no age limitations students can be as young as Year 11 and 12 students with more mature students only requiring a lust for knowledge and a passion for an exciting career change.
If this is a career path you are interested in either starting out on or changing your career to become a telecommunications engineer.
Please feel free to call into the centre where we can discuss the best options and study framework for you.