Courses offered by Netcom

Netcom Courses Overview Brochure

Detailed descriptions of all Netcom course offerings are included. Netcom offers courses in two categories:

  1. Fiber Optic Association (FOA) Certified
  2. Netcom Accredited

Netcom members, IBEW members, and the public can log in or create an account. Once you have a valid account, you must be logged in to register for scheduled events through our booking system and pay by credit card via PayPal. A PayPal account is not required.

FOA Certified

Netcom Accredited

Certified Fiber Optic Specialist - Fiber for Wireless (CFOS/W)

Course Information

Course Level: Intermediate to expert.

Prerequisite: CFOT, CPCT or equivalent basic knowledge of fiber optics and communications networks.

NETCOM offers the Certified Fiber Optics Specialist – Fiber For Wireless (CFOS/W) course. It is the FOA certification for technicians installing wireless communications systems that are connected on fiber optics.

This course is designed for anyone interested in learning how fiber optics is used to implement cellular, small cell, WiFi and other wireless networks. This Fiber Optic Training combines lecture sessions and hands-on activities to prepare the student to take the CFOS/W hands on and written exams that are sanctioned by the FOA (Fiber Optics Association) and given and graded the final class day. CFOS/W – Certified Fiber Optic Specialist, Fiber For Wireless – is the FOA certification for technicians installing wireless communications systems that are connected on fiber optics. This course is an application specialist course focusing on educating technicians about what is involved in connecting cell site backhaul and fronthaul, antennas on cell towers, small cells, distributed antenna systems (DAS), and WiFi access points for premises, urban and rural line-of-sight WiFi networks. Skills for technicians should be learned for other certifications. Examples of additional topics include:
• Fiber optic installation safety
• Cellular wireless technology
• Fiber to cellular wireless tower architectures
• Fiber to the antenna
• small cells
• DAS (distributed antenna systems)
• WiFi technology
• Enterprise WiFi
• Metropolitan WiFi
• Line of sight WiFi
• Rural WiFi
• Testing the components and installed cable plant
This course is designed for individuals who wish to increase their knowledge and gain hands-on skills in fiber optics technology in preparation for writing the Fiber Optics Association exam. The FOA exam is administered on the last day of the course. CFOS/W Accreditation will be awarded by the FOA upon successful completion and passing the final exam.
Course tuition covers the following:
  • Textbook
  • All handouts
  • All lab supplies
  • Exam fee
  • Three year FOA membership
  • Wall mount certificate of completion from NETCOM
  • Wallet sized official FOA certification card
  • All necessary hand tools and test equipment will be supplied by NETCOM
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Pricing
  • Netcom Member$0
  • IBEW Member$700
  • Public Member$900

Certified Fiber Optic Specialist - Outside Plant (CFOS/O)

Course Information

Course Level: Intermediate to Expert. Students must have completed CFOT or CPCT within the preceding 12 months or have renewed their FOA membership within that time frame prior to enrolling in CFOS/O.

This course is designed for anyone interested in learning how to properly install Outside Plant (OSP) Fiber Optics Cabling. This Fiber Optic Training combines lecture sessions and hands-on activities to prepare the student to take the CFOS/O hands on and written exams that are sanctioned by the FOA (Fiber Optics Association) and given and graded the final class day.

This course introduces the student to industry standards governing the installation, testing, and troubleshooting of OSP fiber optics cable. Students will learn how to properly identify OSP fiber cabling types, recognize various outside plant closures used in OSP fiber installation, install, prepare, terminate, splice, and properly test and troubleshoot installed OSP fiber cable to existing standards. Prerequisite: Student MUST have successfully passed the basic CFOT course within the preceding 12 months or have renewed their FOA membership within that time frame prior to attending this CFOS/O course.

Course Outline / Competencies:
• Safety practices for working with Fiber Optic Cable
• Identify common types of fiber optic cable and hardware
• Install and ground loose tube and ribbon cable in a splice case
• Assemble a 450 D FOSC
• Assemble and install buffer tubes onto splice trays
• Describe common installation methods and equipment
• Test and troubleshoot installed outside plant fiber optic cable
• Analyze and identify components of common splice documents

Course Tuition Covers the Following:
• Textbooks
• All handouts
• All lab supplies
• Exam fee
• Three year FOA membership
• Wall mount certifiate from NETCOM
• Wallet sized FOA certification card
• All necessary hand tools and test equipment will be supplied by NETCOM

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Pricing
  • Netcom Member$0
  • IBEW Member$1230
  • Public Member$1430

Certified Fiber Optic Technician (CFOT)

Course Information

Course Level: Introductory to Intermediate. Beginners to experienced fiber technicians will benefit from this course.

NETCOM offers the Certified Fiber Optic (CFOT) course. It is the Fiber Optic Association’s certification for general fiber optic applications. It is a first level certification and a prerequisite for any Specialist (CFOS/x) FOA certifications.

In this five-day course you will study basic theory and practical aspects of using fiber optic cable in different types of communications and data transmissions. Students will increase their knowledge and gain hands-on skills in fiber optics technology in preparation for earning their designation as a Certified Fiber Optics Technician (CFOT).This course involves a combination of theory and hands-on training. Students will focus on the practical aspects of working with fiber optic cables, including connectorization, fusion splicing and testing. A wide range of topics will be covered, such as the different types of fiber and cables, how to specify fiber optic cable and sources of loss in fiber. Examples of additional topics include:

Course Outline / Competencies:
• Fiber optic installation safety
• Types of fiber optic connectors, tools and splicers
• Fiber cable hardware
• Numerical aperture, bandwidth, attenuation
• Mechanical splicing, joining fiber, fusing, cleaving and scribing
• Guidelines for fiber optic designs and installations
• Cable installation and loss budget analysis
• Fiber optic cable pulling
• Test equipment and fiber optic testing
• OTDR testing and troubleshooting

Course Tuition Covers the Following:
• Textbooks
• All handouts
• All lab supplies
• Exam fee
• Three year FOA membership
• Wall mount certifiate from NETCOM
• Wallet sized FOA certification card
• All necessary hand tools and test equipment will be supplied by NETCOM

View Course PageView Course Brochure
Pricing
  • Netcom Member$0
  • IBEW Member$1230
  • Public Member$1430

Certified Premises Cabling Technician (CPCT)

Course Information

Course Level: Introductory to Intermediate. Beginners to experienced premise cabling technicians will benefit from this course. FOA CPCT certification is available as a first level FOA certification for those with no prior FOA certifications. Those who already have CFOTs will learn more about copper, wireless and how fiber is used in structured cabling networks.

NETCOM offers the Certified Premises Cabling Technician (CPCT) course. CPCT – Certified Premises Cabling Technician – is the FOA certification for designers, installers and operators of premises cabling networks. Premises cabling refers to building and campus cabling that is generally customer-owned and used for local area networks of computers (LANs), security systems (CCTV and alarms), building management systems, distributed antenna systems (DAS for cellular and WiFI) and other applications like industrial systems, electrical distribution management systems, etc.

FOA CPCT certification includes all types of infrastructure for premises cabling and communications – copper and fiber cabling and wireless systems. CPCT certification is based on KSAs (knowledge, skills and abilities) that require a knowledge of cabling and wireless technology and standards along with demonstrated skills in the installation of copper and fiber cabling system to support networks. Most CPCTs will work as contractors and installers, although the certification provides excellent training for IT or security personnel responsible for the operation of networks. CPCT courses will generally be 50% hands-on labs developing the skills necessary for working with premises cabling systems.

Course Outline / Competencies:
• Introduction to premises cabling
• Structured cabling descriptions and standards
• Premises wiring
• Premises fiber optics
• Wireless standards and installation procedures
• Hands-on labs: cables, punch down, jacks and plugs.
• Test and troubleshoot installed premises cabling
• Analyze and identify components of common premises networks

Course Tuition Covers the Following:
• Textbooks
• All handouts
• All lab supplies
• Exam fee
• Three year FOA membership
• Wall mount certifiate from NETCOM
• Wallet sized FOA certification card
• All necessary hand tools and test equipment will be supplied by NETCOM

View Course PageView Course Brochure
Pricing
  • Netcom Member$0
  • IBEW Member$1230
  • Public Member$1430

Broadband Network Construction - Level 1

Course Information

Course Level: Introductory to Intermediate. Beginners to experienced network construction technicians will benefit from this course.

NETCOM offers the Broadband Network Construction Course (3 days). Course level is introductory to advanced. Technicians of all skill levels will benefit greatly by enrolling in this course.

In this three day course you will be introduced to the world of Broadband Hybrid-Fibre Coax (HFC) Network. This type of network is used all over the world by cable companies to provide service to customers. Students will learn the safety procedures, the structure of the CATV HFC network and how it works to bring signals into businesses and homes to provide services such as internet, television, phone and on demand streaming. Students will get hands on experience with components and cabling of the CATV Broadband HFC Network outside plant infrastructure. Upon successful completion of this course students can expect to be proficient with all mainline coax, distribution taps, passive line splitters and active amplifiers.

Course Outline / Competencies:
• HFC Construction installation safety
• HFC network theory and design
• Familiarize with mainline HFC tools as required
• Identify/core/connectorize mainline coax cable (412, 500, 540QR, 625, 715QR, 750, 860QR and 875)
• Construct plant components such as splitters and amplifiers
• Installation procedures for mainline cable (expansion & contraction)
• Power up a live plant and basic troubleshooting
• Identify components inside amplifiers and splitters
• Common installation mistakes and how to avoid them

Course Tuition Covers the Following:
• Textbooks
• All handouts
• All lab supplies
• Wall mount certifiate from NETCOM
• All necessary hand tools and test equipment will be supplied by NETCOM

View Course PageView Course Brochure

Pricing

  • Netcom Member$0
  • IBEW Member$770
  • Public Member$990

Customer Service Excellence For Technicians

Course Information

Technicians often focus on the technical aspect of the job, and that is important. The other (often forgotten) part is dealing with the end subscriber or customer.

This one day, eight hour course will give IBEW 213 members the tools, skills, knowledge and processes to positively engage customers and deliver exceptional service. Difficult customers can cause technicians a great deal of frustration. This course will give technicians the confidence to deal with difficult customers and turn it into a positive situation. International speaker and author Shane Gibson will be the instructor.

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Pricing

  • Netcom Member$-
  • IBEW Member$-
  • Public Member$-

Network Fundamentals

Course Information

Course Level: Introductory to Intermediate. Beginners to experienced technicians will benefit from this course.

NETCOM offers the Network Fundamentals (2 days). Course level is introductory to advanced. Technicians of all skill levels will benefit greatly by enrolling in this course.

Network Fundamentals will explain how computers and smart devices communicate with one another, starting with the basic building blocks of networks. It will cover Local Area Networks (LAN), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), Wide Area Networks (WAN), and Virtual Private Networks (VPN). Along with the types of networks, the different Network Protocols that govern the transfer of information will also be discussed. This course is for anyone new to networking and looking to learn the basics, as well as anyone wanting to brush up on a particular topic..

Course Outline / Competencies:
• Computer Networks
• OSI Model and IP
• Definitions and Protocols
• Network Components
• Ethernet Cabling & POE
• WiFi
• Network Design and Setup
• Identify Network Components
• Common installation mistakes and how to avoid them

Course Tuition Covers the Following:
• Textbooks
• All handouts
• All lab supplies
• Wall mount certifiate from NETCOM
• All necessary hand tools and test equipment will be supplied by NETCOM

View Course Page

Pricing

  • Netcom Member$0
  • IBEW Member$350
  • Public Member$500

Course Policies

Effective December 6, 2023 AGM

  • Netcom Training will only provide group training sessions (Minimum Six)
  • Netcom Training will not proctor FOA exams without completing the full course
  • Netcom Training reserves the right to cancel or reschedule courses

There are three categories of Netcom Website members. When you create an account the Website will automatically slot you into the appropriate category. Please contact the administrator at info@netcomtraining.org if you haven’t been placed into the appropriate group or if your status changes. The three categories are:

  1. Netcom Assessment Members are those that are currently employed under a collective agreement at Delta Cable, Rogers Communications (Port Coquitlam, White Rock, North Shore), LTS Solutions Ltd. or the Cable Contractors Standard. Netcom Assessment Members do not have to pay for any Netcom programs. Eligibility for programs will be based on the following criteria:
    • Must be current in Union dues standing
    • The Employer must be current in submitting Netcom Training Assessments
    • Selection for courses will be based on existing random selection systems
    • Books, Supplies, and materials are included
    • New Netcom Assessment Members will be eligible to attend Netcom courses after three (3) months of Netcom contributions
    • Unemployed members will be eligible to attend Netcom courses for three (3) months after which time they may exercise the option of paying their equivalent monthly assessment (160 hours) to maintain their eligibility to attend future courses.

2. IBEW Members are those that are current in IBEW Union dues standing and working for another Employer who is signatory to an IBEW Collective Agreement. IBEW Members are eligible for discounted rate for Netcom programs if there is a spot available which covers books, supplies, materials and taxes.

3. Public Members are those that are neither a current IBEW member nor Netcom Assessment Members but are eligible to register for any Netcom programs at the public rate if there is a spot available which covers books, supplies, materials and taxes.

 

 

Refund policy

  1. A student may be entitled to a refund of tuition fees in the event that:
    1. The student provides written notice to the institution that he or she is withdrawing from the program; or
    2. The institution provides written notice to the student advising that the student has been dismissed from the program.
  2. The written notice of withdrawal or dismissal may be delivered in any manner provided that a receipt or other verification is available that indicates the date on which the notice is delivered.
  3. The notice of withdrawal or dismissal is deemed to be effective from the date it is delivered.
  4. The refund to which a student is entitled is calculated on the total tuition fees due under the contract. Where total tuition fees have not yet been collected, the institution is not responsible for refunding more than has been collected to date and a student may be required to make up for monies due under the contract.
  5. If the institution has received fees in excess of the amount it is entitled to under the student contract, the excess amount must be refunded.
  6. Refunds before the program of study starts:
    1. If written notice of withdrawal is received by the institution within 7 days after the contract is made, and before the commencement of the period of instruction specified in the contract, the institution may retain 5% of the total tuition and fees due under the contract to a maximum of $250.
    2. If written notice of withdrawal is received by the institution 30 days or more before the commencement of the period of instruction specified in the contract and more than 7 days after the contract was made, the institution may retain 10% of total tuition only due under the contract to a maximum of $1000.
    3. Subject to section 6a, if written notice of withdrawal is received by the institution less than 30 days before the commencement of the period of instruction specified in the contract, and more than 7 days after the contract was made, the institution may retain 20% of the total tuition only, due under the contract to a maximum of $1300.
  7. Refunds after the program of study starts:
    1. If written notice of withdrawal is received by the institution, or a student is dismissed within 10% of the program of study’s duration, the institution may retain 30% of the total fees due under the contract.
    2. Subject to subsection 7a, if written notice of withdrawal is received by the institution, or a student is dismissed within 30% of the program of study’s duration the institution may retain 50% of the total fees due under the contract.
    3. If a student withdraws or is dismissed after 30% of the program of study’s duration, no refund is given.
  8. Other Refund Policy Requirements
    1. Where a student is deemed not to have met the institutional and/or program specific minimum requirements for admission, the institution must refund all fees paid under the contract, less the applicable non-refundable application or registration fee.
    2. Where an institution provides technical equipment to a student, without cost to the student, and the student withdraws or is dismissed, the institution may charge the student for the equipment or use of the equipment on a cost recovery basis, unless the student returns the equipment unopened or as issued within fourteen (14) calendar days.
    3. Refunds owing to students must be paid within thirty (30) calendar days of the institution receiving written notification of withdrawal and all required supporting documentation, or within thirty (30) calendar days of an institution’s written notice of dismissal.
  9. Where the delivery of the program of study is through home study or distance education, refunds must be based on the percent of the program of study completed at the rates specific to section 6 above.