SANTA FE, NM – Santa Fe Community College in partnership with Santa Fe County and the New Mexico Department of Workforce Connections announce applications are open for a free training bootcamp to become a certified fiber optics technician.

The Professional Readiness for Technical Careers (PROTEC) program begins on Monday, May 8 and continues through Friday, May 12 at SFCC Higher Education Center, 1950 Siringo Road. Applications are due on May 3. More information and applications are available at protecsantafe.com. 

The free five-day, hands-on intensive program gives students the opportunity to earn three certifications from the Fiber Optic Association that are recognized throughout the world and aligned to industry standards. These credentials will remain valid for three years, after which they can be renewed by the student. Students can earn the following certifications: Certified Fiber Optic Technician, Certified Fiber Optic Specialist in Splicing, and Certified Fiber Optic Specialists in Testing and Maintenance. 

Certified fiber optics technicians are in demand. Local employers include Vexus Fiber Company working in Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Las Cruces. 

Included in the training are these three opportunities for certifications:

Certified Fiber Optics Technician Course

This introductory 3-day fiber optic tech course is designed for anyone interested in becoming a Certified Fiber Optic Technician. This Fiber Optic Training combines theory and 85 percent hands-on activities to prepare the student to take the CFOT (Certified Fiber Optic Technician) test that is sanctioned by the FOA (Fiber Optics Association) and given and graded on the final class day. This course also introduces the student to industry standards governing FTTD (Fiber To The Desk), FTTH (Fiber To The Home) and Distribution Cabling. Students will learn how to identify fiber types, recognize various connectors used in fiber installation; and install, terminate, splice, and properly test installed fiber cable to existing standards. This program explores the history and future of fiber optics and fiber optics capabilities, and basic testing and troubleshooting. Anyone interested in becoming a Certified Fiber Optics Technician should attend this class.

Certified Fiber Optics Specialist in Testing and Maintenance Course

This 2-day, 16-hour program is designed to offer advanced training to anyone involved with the testing and maintenance of fiber optics networks. A focal point in the program is to offer a general, easy to understand, approach to fiber optics testing standards with little theory and considerable hands-on activities. This comprehensive program explains the variety of testing standards, equipment and technological approaches used in fiber network testing and splicing and how to choose among them. This 85 percent hands-on course explores the overall spectrum of testing and maintenance of single mode fiber optics networks and provides a detailed overview and demonstration of various pieces of equipment used in testing and maintenance. Subject matter includes a detailed study of ANSI/TIA/EIA-526-(7)A, OTDR fundamentals and uses, OTDR vs. Insertion Loss Testing, Return Loss Testing, and Attenuation testing using the Power Source and Light Meter.

Certified Fiber Optics Specialist in Splicing Course

This Splicing Specialist Training includes a complete PowerPoint presentation explaining the importance of high-performance splicing and further details the points necessary to achieve these splices. The depth of this presentation is much greater than most textbooks and provides background information about splicing that is very important to the student. An overview of OTDR functions and trace understanding is also provided during this presentation. The 85 percent hands-on classroom activities will provide training in both fusion and mechanical splicing of either single or multimode fiber optic cables. Inside or outside plant fiber optic cable types will be utilized at instructor's discretion during these hands-on sessions along with fiber optics enclosures and splice trays. The student will be responsible for successfully making and testing both mechanical and fusion splices. In addition to the basic splicing activities outlined above, the student will further be required to correctly and efficiently install spliced fibers into splice trays and enclosures. The student will further be required to achieve a splice loss of less than 0.15 dB for all splices and demonstrate proficiency in interpretation of splice loss using OTDR splice traces.

Participant requirements: Students must be able to distinguish colors and have good finger dexterity. No prior workforce training is required.  For applications visit  protecsantafe.com.

PROTEC offers preparatory training for entry-level employment in a variety of industries and is designed for individuals who are currently unemployed, underemployed or looking to increase their hire-ability in Santa Fe County.

For more information about the PROTEC program contact SFCC Continuing Education program at 505-428-1676 or ce@sfcc.edu.