Belden (NYSE: BDC) announced that it will now offer its Hirschmann Industrial Ethernet Network Professional Program to professionals responsible for industrial network infrastructures throughout North America. The program seeks to train, test and qualify individuals’ skills and capabilities related to Industrial Ethernet technology and how to deploy it within applications, such as automation, data acquisition, monitoring and network security.
The company notes that its Hirschmann Industrial Ethernet Network Professional Program has certified more than 600 network engineers in 47 countries. It is designed to enhance participants’ networking skills and help system integrators and end-users demonstrate a breadth of knowledge across various technologies. The training series and set of certification exams cover topics including: Ethernet and fieldbus technology; Internet Protocols; industrial network management; network security; virtual local area networks (VLANs); wireless local area networks (WLANs); structured cabling and network design.
Starting this month and running through the winter, Belden is currently offering the program in three locations, with more locations to be added in 2015:
• INDIANAPOLIS – Oct. 14-16 (Wireless LAN Technology & Applications).
• ATLANTA – Nov. 3-4 (Industrial Ethernet Technology), Nov. 5-7 (Industrial Networking Technology), Nov. 10-12 (Layer 2 Switching, Theory and Practice) and Nov. 13-14 (Industrial Network Management, Theory and Practice).
• HOUSTON – Feb. 2-3 (Industrial Ethernet Technology), Feb. 4-6 (Industrial Networking Technology), Feb. 9-11 (Layer 2 Switching, Theory and Practice) and Feb. 12-13 (Industrial Network Management, Theory and Practice).
The program's full schedule is available here: https://www.registermyswitch.com/certification.php.
According to a news release, the certifications are divided into two distinct areas: general technology expertise and specific product expertise. Within each category, three qualification levels are available:
• The “Specialist” certificate proves solid knowledge of the technology area or product.
• The “Professional” qualification displays a deeper understanding and application ability.
• The “Engineer” qualification demonstrates comprehensive expertise in the respective field or with the respective products.
The Hirschmann Industrial Ethernet Network Professional Program has been implemented in other regions of the world, including Europe and Asia, since 2003. “One of the best ways to protect against downtime is to have on-site specialists and external service providers who are qualified to quickly trouble-shoot faults or prevent them from ever happening,” comments Julia Santogatta, initiative and vertical marketing director at Belden.
Santogatta adds, “We’ve found that a variety of skills are required to control industrial equipment and critical communications networks. Our training and certification program aims to confirm genuine, up-to-date expertise, and ultimately provide assurance to end-users that their vendors and partners are qualified.” For more information or to register for an upcoming training session, visit https://www.registermyswitch.com/certification.php.