3wheeledtechie
Sergeant
- 703
- 0
- 0
This is a 4 week course in installation of the physical layer of computer networks. You learn how to terminate copper, fibre and hybrid technologies. There are additional modules available in air blown fibre and SDH (1 week each).
Having done mine in May, and worked in structured cabling since, I thought I'd jot down some feedback for those thinking of doing it.
The company is owned and run by an ex-army WO2, and to a certain extent this pervades the way you get treated. To be fair this is necessary because the majority of candidates come from the army. You do not need to be a techie to do this stuff, but it may help. The training received was excellent, and the instructors first rate. The quality of the notes was also excellent.
Accommodation is provided, but your not obliged to take it, and may (now) have to prove there's no transit/mess accommodation at nearby units. I did, simply because it was in the centre of town, and made it easy for working in the evenings with others on the course. I would also question how necessary or value for money the air blown fibre and SDH modules are. A lot of guys did the air blown, but TBH you can learn it in a day and a half on the job and there really isn't that much air blown work in the UK. It may be useful for abroad however. The SDH you only need if you're gonna get a fibre job, and probably wouldn't use it for a while until you are much more experienced. If you've got the money to spend by all means consider these, but I chose to spend my ELC on PRINCE2 instead and for me that was the right decision.
Jobs are out there, but a huge amount of the work is London based for many of the companies (that's where most data centres are). Installation engineers start at roughly £22K, but more specialised skills may command more. Experienced guys often set up as Ltd companies, and work as sub-contractors. £130/day is a good rate and achievable. For that you get yourself to the job, provide your own tools, and your own indemnity insurance.
Criticisms: two really, the job finding and work placement service promised was rubbish. Placements were offered in the wrong area of the country, and I've heard of no one who's got a job through the CTTS agent as yet.
This course will give candidates a number of the skills, however it will take probably an extended period to get up to speed with terminating, encounter different installation types, become familiar with the main manufacturers products, understand how to run a pulling team etc.
Future progression: those that wish to can progress to becoming project managers. There are also jobs for consultants (mainly consult on the design of installations), these require extensive knowledge plus BICSI RCDD qual or similar.
Having done mine in May, and worked in structured cabling since, I thought I'd jot down some feedback for those thinking of doing it.
The company is owned and run by an ex-army WO2, and to a certain extent this pervades the way you get treated. To be fair this is necessary because the majority of candidates come from the army. You do not need to be a techie to do this stuff, but it may help. The training received was excellent, and the instructors first rate. The quality of the notes was also excellent.
Accommodation is provided, but your not obliged to take it, and may (now) have to prove there's no transit/mess accommodation at nearby units. I did, simply because it was in the centre of town, and made it easy for working in the evenings with others on the course. I would also question how necessary or value for money the air blown fibre and SDH modules are. A lot of guys did the air blown, but TBH you can learn it in a day and a half on the job and there really isn't that much air blown work in the UK. It may be useful for abroad however. The SDH you only need if you're gonna get a fibre job, and probably wouldn't use it for a while until you are much more experienced. If you've got the money to spend by all means consider these, but I chose to spend my ELC on PRINCE2 instead and for me that was the right decision.
Jobs are out there, but a huge amount of the work is London based for many of the companies (that's where most data centres are). Installation engineers start at roughly £22K, but more specialised skills may command more. Experienced guys often set up as Ltd companies, and work as sub-contractors. £130/day is a good rate and achievable. For that you get yourself to the job, provide your own tools, and your own indemnity insurance.
Criticisms: two really, the job finding and work placement service promised was rubbish. Placements were offered in the wrong area of the country, and I've heard of no one who's got a job through the CTTS agent as yet.
This course will give candidates a number of the skills, however it will take probably an extended period to get up to speed with terminating, encounter different installation types, become familiar with the main manufacturers products, understand how to run a pulling team etc.
Future progression: those that wish to can progress to becoming project managers. There are also jobs for consultants (mainly consult on the design of installations), these require extensive knowledge plus BICSI RCDD qual or similar.
Last edited: