SCTE Launches Fiber Blowing Certification and PNM Courses to Advance Fiber Training
SCTE has introduced its first Fiber Blowing Certification, expanding its fiber training portfolio to address the growing demand for skilled technicians in broadband deployment. Led by SCTE’s new Education Advisory Council (EAC), a group of operator and contractor leaders, the certification and course series are “shaped by the industry, for the industry,” the organization said when announcing the new microcredential.
According to the SCTE press release, “Fiber blowing is a widely used method for underground fiber installation, and the global cable blowing equipment market is projected to grow roughly 5-7% annually through the end of the decade according to Cognitive Market Research.”
The fiber certification is designed to validate the knowledge and hands-on skills required for fiber blowing. By standardizing this fiber training and certification, the SCTE aims to ensure that technicians are able to build safely and accurately.
The fiber-blowing course offering is divided into two segments: knowledge and skills. The knowledge segment includes the following topics, each of which is included on the exam that a student must pass to obtain the microcredential.
- Worksite preparation and safety
- Route assessment and equipment verification
- Materials selection and verification
- Fiber-Optic Cable Handling and Management (Entry and Exit)
- Equipment Inspection and Operational Safety
- Duct Preparation and Proofing
- Fiber Blowing Operations
- Fiber Blowing Troubleshooting
- Project Handoff Documentation and Compliance
In addition to launching the Fiber Blowing Certification, SCTE highlighted its Proactive Network Maintenance (PNM) course series. The PNM series is based on SCTE 280 and SCTE 294 standards, focusing on “practical outside plant troubleshooting,” SCTE explained. The course aims to provide technicians with skills to identify and resolve network problems before they affect users.
Jason Schaal, Telecom Training Coordinator, Conway Corporation, commented on the PNM five-course series, stating, "I am very impressed with this format. It covers exactly what our techs are doing in the field, and the video explanations and section-level check questions make it much easier to get through and actually retain.”