Open Awards, a licensed awarding organisation which operates across the UK, has recently launched a series of new qualifications in network infrastructure disciplines. Two of these qualifications have now been included in the list of possible qualifications for the ECS Network Infrastructure Installer (Level 3) card.
These qualifications are:
· Open Awards Level 3 Award in Copper Datacoms Cable Installation and Testing
· Open Awards Level 3 Award in Fibre Optics Installation and Testing
Who is the Network Infrastructure (Level 3) card for?
The ECS Network Infrastructure Installer Level 3 card is for people who are qualified to the industry recognised level 3 qualification and are installing and maintaining structured cabling systems for datacomms systems. This is part of the wider ECS structure for network infrastructure, telecoms and related digital systems.
Work undertaken by people holding the Network Infrastructure Installer – Copper card typically includes the installation of structured cabling such as UTP, STP, FTP, Co-AX and general common copper data cables. Holders of the Network Infrastructure Installer – Fibre card will typically undertake work on single-mode and multi-mode fibre cables.
How are card requirements updated?
ECS works with a number of awarding organisations, leading employers, training providers and other stakeholders through a series of Industry Groups which develop standards and help to raise the bar. These groups work collaboratively to develop proposals and to promote better standards of training, qualifications, assessment, and competence which can then be verified by ECS and updated on the records of card holders.
Digital systems such as MyECS and CSCS Smart Check play a pivotal role in clients, contractors and security personnel checking people’s ECS cards to ensure they are qualified and competent for the role they are undertaking on projects.
ECS received a proposal for the recognition of these two new qualifications for the Network Infrastructure Installer (Level 3) card from Open Awards. This included a mapping of how these new routes met at least the same standard as other routes already recognised. The Network Infrastructure Industry Group supported the proposal, this was rigorously reviewed by the ECS Technical Evaluation Group and approved by the ECS Steering Committee in May.
Heather Akehurst, CEO at Open Awards, commented: “Open Awards are delighted that our qualifications at Level 3 in Fibre Optics Installation and Testing, along with the Level 3 Copper Datacoms Installation and Testing, have now been recognised by the ECS. We are so pleased that learners who achieve these qualifications will be able to apply for the ECS Network Infrastructure Installer Level 3 card and open the door to more employment opportunities within the sector. We wish to thank Andy Reakes, Head of Growth at ECS, for heading up the approval process and Dr Annette Colton, Head of Lucid Optical Services Ltd, for her input and expertise in the development of these qualification.”
For more information on these qualifications please visit Open Awards website by clicking here.
For more information on ECS card requirements for this and other cards, please go to www.ecscard.org.uk/card-types