FibreCo launches fibre optic maintenance training
FibreCo launches fibre optic maintenance training
FibreCo, a Convergence Partners investee, in collaboration with the Free State Government’s Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (“DEDTEA”) recently launched the first 5 day fibre optic training programme on the maintenance of telecommunication cables, in Bloemfontein.
This follows the commitment by FibreCo in May to train at least 200 new technicians across the country. This training programme, the first of these in the country, was officially opened by FibreCo’s CEO, Mr Arif Hussain, and the head of the DEDTEA, Mr Ikhraam Osman.
Department spokesperson Kgotso Tau said the partnership was to ensure the success of this training initiative in the Free State with its aim to assist in the alleviation of poverty and address the unemployment of youth in the province. ??The training targeted matriculants who had physics and mathematics as subjects. “These trainees will then be placed on the FibreCo database so that should the time come when FibreCo needs maintenance people, they extract candidates from their database. This will enable them to apply for positions within the telecommunication industry. The target areas for cables and network points are those that run through the N1 from Xhariep to Sasolburg,” he said.
Tau said the start of the programme followed a strict interview process that identified 30 candidates from across the Free State who were ready to take on the challenges of this intensive five-day course on the maintenance of fibre optic cables. ?The programme is accredited by the Fibre Optic Association (FOA), whose certification is recognised in the fibre networking industry worldwide. This qualification will ensure that trainee candidates are better qualified to apply for the new job opportunities that will arise in the operation and maintenance of the FibreCo network and other fibre networks being deployed in the Free State province.
Osman said FibreCo aimed to integrate some of the successful candidates into the operations and maintenance of its network. “I want to encourage the students to grab this opportunity granted to them with both hands as it does not come around often,” he said.
“This is the start of what will be a national rollout of the training programme,” said Hussain.
He said FibreCo had continued to make good progress on the construction of its first fibre optic link connecting Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and East London. More than 800km of trenching had been completed, representing over 80% of the route. ??“With this programme and the specialisation of this field, employment of many young people will be ensured. Technology has no limits and people are constantly using it, therefore maintaining its channels are essential,” he said.