AFL Telecommunications (www.afltele.com) has acquired a majority ownership position in The Light Brigade (www.lightbrigade.com), afiber-optic training company and supplier of media and products, locatedin Tukwila, WA. Terms of the acquisition are undisclosed. AFL says the acquisition will expand its technical training capacity, allowing for increasedservice to current and potentialcustomers.
"With the increased demand for qualified technicians, The Light Brigade's 20+ years of experience, along with the strength and outreach of its instructor base, provides additional capacity,allowing us to serve even more customers," says Patrick Dobbins, director of AFL's Fiber Optic Training Division. "And our combined training capabilities bridge a gap so that we can promoteadvanced integrated solutions for our customers."
AFL Telecommunications currently provides product and application training, building fundamental capabilities and supporting advanced technical requirements. Courses are offered at the corporate headquarters in Spartanburg, SC and worldwide at various customer locations.
AFL's current technical trainingcourses have been reviewed andcertified by the Fiber Optics Associ-ation (FOA), and select courses are eligible for BICSI education credits. With the addition of The Light Brigade's current curriculum of training programs, AFL expands its training to include the Electronics Technicians Association, International (ETA) certification, enabling technicians' certification in areas of electronic equipment service and support.
"With the acquisition, AFL will be able to provide resources to allow The Light Brigade to expand existing courses and develop new courses, curriculum, and training materials," says Larry Johnson, president of The Light Brigade. "Not only is this a win for AFL and The LIght Brigade, but also for our clients who want to develop their knowledge and skills.