Fujitsu Network Services Launches Network Installer Certification Program; Assessment Ensures Qualified Public Network Installers - Company Business and Marketing

Cambridge Telcom Report, Oct 4, 1999

Taking an innovative step toward filling the telecommunications industry's need for qualified network installers, Fujitsu Network Services announced Tuesday an industry-wide technical certification program that will help to train and certify central office equipment installers.

Believed to be the first of its kind, Fujitsu's certification program provides basic- and intermediate-level installation training for new and existing network service professionals. The certification process ensures faster network implementations, higher-quality installations, and long-term cost savings for service providers. The training and certification will be done by commercial firms to Fujitsu and industry specifications.

Installers who become certified under the program increase their marketability in the network services workforce. In addition, certified installers are eligible for higher pay and improved career opportunities.

The two-week basic-level training includes a mix of self-study coursework, classroom instruction, and hands-on workshops to enable installers to master the tasks necessary for installation. The training covers standard installation procedures (such as cable placement and lacing) that apply to any manufacturer's telecommunications equipment. The intermediate-level training -- covered in a three- to five-hour, self-paced course -- shows installers how to complete the various forms related to an installation, such as the MOP (Method of Procedure) and Installation Specification forms. All installers must successfully pass a written assessment to become certified at each level.

"All telecom companies have a pressing need for personnel who are trained according to the industry's quality standards," said Dale Booth, senior vice president of Fujitsu Network Services. "We have implemented the installer certification program and seen outstanding results, as proven by our quality awards from leading telecommunications providers."

At Fujitsu, where company policy requires every installer to be certified before working on a job site, the installer certification program has been used in-house for the past two years.

"Because of the success we've seen within our own organization, we are confident about the effectiveness of our certification program," Booth added. "By bringing it to the industry, Fujitsu Network Services is helping to set the standards for excellence in the public network."

The training program has been recognized by the Society for Technical Communications with several awards since its inception.

Fujitsu is also developing programs to certify public network engineers and public network quality auditors. For information about Fujitsu's technical certification programs, call Robin Scruggs at 800/777-3278.

Fujitsu Network Services, a division of Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc., provides a full range of enhanced and professional network services, including engineering, project management, network design, network operations, and systems integration, as well as installation and maintenance of any manufacturer's telecommunications equipment. Its customers include local exchange carriers, long-distance carriers, competitive access providers, Internet service providers, and original equipment manufacturers in North America and overseas. Fujitsu Network Communications is part of Fujitsu Limited (TSE 6702), a $43.3 billion global technology leader in computers, communications and microelectronics. Information is available by calling 800/777-FAST. Its World Wide Web site is www.fns.fujitsu.com.