Looking for a new career? Becoming a Network Cabling Specialist may be the answer. What exactly do they do and how do you go about becoming one?
We’ll answer your questions and you can even take a short quiz to see if this is the right career path for you.
Not looking at becoming a Network Cabling Specialist yourself, but require the services of one? Contact Network Telecom for all of your telecommunications and cabling requirements.
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What Is A Network Cabling Specialist?
A network cabling specialist is a trade that is regulated by the Ontario College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act, 2009.
Network cabling specialists install and maintain low-voltage, wired communication systems typically found in industrial, commercial, institutional, and office locations. The types of systems that they work on usually transmit voice, video, and data. They install, test, label, and maintain these types of communication systems and signal sources to the terminal or equipment at the end of the distribution system.
A network cabling specialist will work on a variety of communications infrastructures such as fibre optic, coaxial, and other types of cable systems, as well as the coordinating network hardware.
What Do Network Cabling Specialists Do?
As a Network cabling specialist, you will perform the following tasks:
- Planning and preparing for cable installations
- Performing cable installations requiring the use of both hand and power tools
- Installing cable support infrastructure
- Performing network installations
- Labelling, testing, and documenting all aspects of installations
- Troubleshooting cable systems
- Developing and maintaining healthy relationships with your clients
Is This The Career For You?
To find out if becoming a Network Cabling Specialist is the right choice for you, ask yourself the following questions.
- Do you like to be constantly learning new technologies?
- Can you climb poles or ladders and do not mind working outside sometimes?
- Do you like doing jobs where making your customer happy is important?
- Do you like working with different types of hand tools?
- Can you do your assigned tasks safely and in a logical and timely sequence?
- Do you like to solve problems?
- Do you like troubleshooting when something isn’t working correctly, checking and testing things until it is solved?
If you answered yes to most of these questions, then this just might be a great career path for you.
How Long Does It Take?
It usually takes about two and a half years to become competent as a Network Cabling Specialist. This would involve doing 4,000 hours of on-the-job work experience combined with 600 hours of in-class training. For more information about this program visit The Ontario College of Trades website.
What Type of Training Is Involved?
To become a Network Cabling Specialist, you will need to do both on-the-job and in-class training.
On-The-Job Training
The on-the-job portion of your training will give you the practical skills or competencies required by the trade’s Apprenticeship Training Standard. These skills are essential to the practice of this trade. The training will be provided by a skilled worker or trainer also known as your sponsor. As you demonstrate and develop these essential skills, your sponsor or trainer will sign the appropriate sections of your training standard to show that you have met the individual training objectives needed to be a skilled worker in this trade.
In-Class Training
There are several ways in which you can receive the in-class training that you will need to become a Network Cabling Specialist. Different training agencies will offer training in the following ways:
- Block Release: Full-time classes for a set number of weeks.
- Day Release: One day a week from September to June.
- Part-time: A night school program.
- Alternative Delivery: Taking courses online or by correspondence.
You can find the type of training that suits your schedule the best and get more information about in-class training near you by contacting your local Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities (MTCU) Apprenticeship Office.
Your in-school training will be comprised of two levels of theoretical training. This training will include, but is not limited to,
- Tools and how to handle them safely
- Codes and standards
- Planning, preparation, and documentation
- Trade calculations and electronics
- UTP/ScTP terminating and splicing
- Optical fibre terminating and splicing
- Coaxial cable terminations
- Networking
- Customer-owned outside plant
- Interpersonal skills
Do Apprentices Get Paid?
As an apprentice, you will get paid while you are gaining work experience and your wages will increase as your skill levels increase. You will start out at a rate which is lower than an actual journeyman, but that rate will gradually increase as you become more competent.
What Do Network Cabling Specialists Get Paid?
According to the Canadian site Payscale.com, the median hourly rate for Network Cabling is $28.97. Often positions will include benefits as well as opportunities for overtime.
What Is the Job Growth Outlook for this Career?
The Government of Canada Job Bank shows a steady growth in job opportunities in network cabling if you are living in Ontario .
Are There Government Incentives To Encourage Employers To Take On Apprentices?
Employers who train apprentices in an eligible trade, including Network Cabling Specialists, can receive up to $16,700 to help with the costs involved in training. There is also a bonus available of up to $2,500 if the apprentice is from an underrepresented group such as women, Indigenous peoples, Francophones, people with disabilities, newcomers, and racialized people. Learn more about this grant here.
Summary: Steps To Follow To Become A Network Cabling Specialist
Step 1: Find an employer who is willing to train you.
Step 2: Contact the MTCU. They will come to your place of employment and register you as an apprentice.
Step 3: Sign a contract of apprenticeship or training agreement with your employer and training consultant from the Apprenticeship Board of the Ontario government.
Step 4: Complete your on-the-job training.
Step 5: Complete you in-class training.
Step 6: Pass the trade certification exam with at least a 70%.
Step 7: Receive your Certificate of Qualifications and journeyperson status.
Network Telecom: Your Network Cabling Specialists
Looking for Network Cabling Specialists in Ontario? Network Telecom has decades of experience providing businesses in the Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, and Guelph regions with the best possible telecommunications solutions. We utilize products from over a dozen brands in order to provide the best services that we can. Our experts are able to recommend, install, and troubleshoot any solution 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You can rely on us to make your business communication needs our priority. Click here to contact us today.
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Sources:
- Network Cabling Specialist
- What Does a Network Cabling Specialist Do?
- Ontario College of Trades