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Fiber Optics Training at NACC
Northeast Alabama Community College
recently offered training and certification opportunities in the
installation and maintenance of fiber optics networks. The
week-long program was taught by Bob Ballard, of BDI DataLynk,
headquartered in Austin, Texas.
The first three days of the training prepared participants to
become a Certified Fiber Optics Technician (COFT) and the last
two days offered advanced training for those involved in the
testing and maintenance of fiber optic networks. Those who
completed the final two days of the intense, hands-on training
were eligible to sit for the Certified Fiber Optics Specialist
in Testing and Maintenance (CFOS/T).
Mike Kennamer, Director of Workforce
Development at Northeast, stated that he is pleased to have BDI
DataLynk on campus. “BDI is an excellent training partner and
gives us the opportunity to offer training that we would not
have otherwise been able to offer,” stated Kennamer. “We look
forward to a continuing relationship with them.”
 The
instructor for the week was BDI DataLynk owner, Bob Ballard. Bob
has been
actively involved in the telecommunications industry for over 20
years, is a Registered
Communication Distribution Designer appointed by BICSI, and is
also recognized by
the Fiber Optics Association as a Certified Fiber Optics
Instructor. His expertise in the area of fiber connectivity has
made him a sought after consultant and speaker for universities,
architectural firms, integrator gatherings, and conventions. He
has performed fiber optics training for contractors all over the
US and Mexico and has taught numerous fiber optic training
sessions in the United States and Mexico on subjects ranging
from long-haul fiber connectivity to network grounding. He is
also responsible for one of the largest fiber to the desk
installations in the US – the US Courts FTTD Project in Texas.
Participants in the courses included
employees of Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative, Vulcraft,
The University of Alabama, and Northeast Alabama Community
College, among others.
Northeast will offer another series of
fiber optics training courses in June. The same courses offered
recently will be offered in June, with the addition of a fiber
splicing course. For more information about fiber optics
training opportunities, contact Julie Cohen at (256) 228-6001,
ext. 214 or (256) 638-4418, ext. 214. A listing of upcoming
workshops is available on the college web site at www.nacc.edu/workforce.
Click on “Workshops and Seminars.” |
