T Levels focus on vocational skills and can help students into skilled employment, higher study or apprenticeships. Each T Level includes an in-depth industry placement that lasts at least 45 days. Students get valuable experience in the workplace; employers get early sight of the new talent in their industry.
The role of the network cable installer is to install, terminate, test and certify network cable infrastructure components in accordance with national and international industry standards. This network infrastructure will provide the communications backbone for the digital infrastructure ecosystem, enabling all types of digital devices to communicate between each other, internally, nationally and globally. These include computers, servers, smart devices, security equipment, wireless access points, access control, building management systems and lighting systems.
They can install copper cables, which are widely used to inter-connect communicating devices such as computers, scanners and printers to servers within office buildings, industrial buildings, hospitals, and data centres. The apprentice may also utilises fibre optic cables, which are widely used for connecting between floors within buildings. Buildings to buildings and cities to cities, as well as providing the highest speed broadband to homes.
Installers work in data sensitive environments and contribute to the organisation’s cyber security strategy by ensuring its physical security. They will also comply with cyber security principles for the maintenance of confidentiality, integrity and availability of data.
They can work in the inside plant ISP environment which is dedicated to the installation of cable within buildings and structures, and the outside plant OSP environment, which is dedicated to the installation of cable externally between buildings, cities and countries.
The size of the task or project that a network cable installer could be involved in, ranges from a single outlet point in a customer’s premises, to thousands of outlets in a new office block. It could also range from a single fibre cable termination in a building to the installation of hundreds of fibres over many kilometres in local, national and international communities. The role of the installer is physical and often involves lifting and moving heavy equipment.
Striving to deliver excellent and consistent levels of customer service is a vital part of the role. Installers work diligently to accurately interpret customer requirements and endeavour to meet high quality standards.
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Duty 1 Install cables to inter-connect communicating devices such as computers, scanners and printers to servers. |
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Duty 2 Interpret detailed project plans to construct and fix network equipment cabinets. Prepare cable pathways and install cable support and containment systems. |
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Duty 3 Install network equipment in cabinets, in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications including routers, switches, power over ethernet , internet of things , wi-fi, smart buildings and wide area network equipment. |
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Duty 4 Undertake performance-based testing and provision of certification to the customer. During the lifespan of the network, carry out maintenance where faults have occurred. |
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Duty 5 Exercise responsibility for the safety of themselves as well as anybody in the local area who could be affected by their actions. Takes responsibility to keep area clean and tidy to minimise risks to themselves and other. |
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Duty 6 Exercise responsibility for the care and maintenance of a wide range of specialist tools, ensuring that equipment is serviceable and always in calibration. |
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Duty 7 Use a wide variety of both hand and power tools. |
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Duty 8 Use workforce management systems for a range of workflow activities as well as personal time and attendance tracking. |
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Duty 9 Conduct work in an environmentally safe manner, minimising and recycling waste correctly in accordance with company policies. |
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Duty 10 Consider emerging technologies effects on media selection, installation practices and additional testing requirements. |
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Duty 11 Comply with cyber security principles for the maintenance of confidentiality, integrity and availability of data. |
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Duty 12 Deliver high quality and consistent levels of customer service. Work diligently to accurately interpret customer requirements and endeavour to meet high quality standards. |
K1: Design specifications, calculate time factors and documentation including floor plans, patch lists, bills of materials, rack face and layout plans. Ensure necessary tools and quantity of equipment required for tasks.
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K2: Principles associated with the transmission of digital information over copper cable networks. The impact incorrect work has on the communication link. Ohms Law and the changes in the electrical characteristics of copper cable caused through handling and installation irregularities.
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K3: Principles associated with the transmission of digital information over fibre cable networks and the impact that your workmanship has on the communication link. Understands the principles of light propagation and has a fundamental knowledge of attenuation within the fibre channel.
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K4: Components of a structured cabling infrastructure and the relationship between campus, building and floor distributors, with relevance to the cable installation plan. Fundamental elements of IT network architecture, including the range of cable types and networking equipment including routers and switches.
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K5: Test parameters for copper and fibre cable certification in accordance with industry standards such as BSEN 50346- information technology-testing of installed cables, the routine for test equipment service and calibration.
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K6: Health and Safety at work legislation whilst working in the network cable installation sector.
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K7: Health and safety risk associated with carrying out cable installation, who might be affected, and what actions can be taken to mitigate the risk.
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K8: Requirements to comply with national and international standards for example British standards institute BSEN 50173-series, BSEN 50174-series, BS 7671, and BS6701. The importance of following manufacturers' best-practice guidelines.
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K9: Criteria that network components will be inspected against. The impact of failing to meet required quality standards.
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K10: The structures and roles of personnel involved in the project, who they need to communicate with and for what reasons.
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K11: Asbestos Containing Materials ACMs. Actions to be taken and dangers associated with, if ACMs are identified whist installation work is being carried out.
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K12: Electricity at work act. How work carried out during network cable installation tasks are governed by supporting standards for example BS7671.
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K13: Legislative requirements under the working at height regulations, including personal competence and inspection regimes and the safe use of mobile access towers.
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K14: Effects of emerging technologies on media selection, installation practices and additional testing requirements.
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K15: Structural components of equipment racks and or cabinets. How to assemble them to meet the requirements on the infrastructure design.
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K16: Requirement for the segregation of data cables from electrical cables in accordance with BSEN 50174. Media that supports other data services for example, telephone, security, alarms and AV systems. The precautions to be taken to prevent interference or damage to the systems.
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K17: Maintain accurate documentation and the efficient use of resources. The depth of information and sustainability required for successful completion and handover to the customer.
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K18: Principles involved in the maintenance of cyber security, such as workplace processes implemented by the organisation for the protection of data.
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K19: Workforce management systems and the workflow functionality.
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K20: Requirements of the new roads and streetworks act and associated codes of practice. When legislation applies, and the levels of authorisation required to perform works.
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S1: Install copper cabling components for Local Area Networking (LAN). Carry out maintenance tasks on copper cable networks. Identify, locate and repair common faults.
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S2: Install fibre optic cabling components for Local Area Networking LAN and Wide Area Network WAN infrastructure. Identify, locate and repair common faults.
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S3: Conduct testing on copper cabling in accordance with equipment manufacturer's procedures, compliant to industry standards, interpret results and rectify failures.
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S4: Carry out testing of fibre optic cabling using an optical loss test set, Tier 1 and fibre inspection tool in accordance with equipment manufacturer’s procedures, and compliant to industry standards.
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S5: Analyse copper and fibre test results and provides certification to the customer.
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S6: Prepare, constructs and installs telecommunications equipment cabinets, either pre-built or from flat-pack. Arrange and install fixtures and fittings for the intended use. Selects network equipment components for installation into cabinets, differentiating between switches and routers.
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S7: Work at height in a safe manner.
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S8: Work in confined spaces by implementing health and safety procedures, using and maintaining personal protective equipment.
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S9: Apply health and safety working practices to keep themselves and others safe.
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S10: Analyse plans, make decisions about equipment types and quantity, and predict time frames.
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S11: Assess the requirements for cable containment by type and size to build a pathway suitable for routing data cables. Install containment systems, using tools and methods for cutting, shaping and mounting tray, basket trunking and conduit.
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S12: Install end-point equipment using fixings and media.
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S13: Interpret the customer statement of requirements to determine the quantity and quality of components to be used in the cable network.
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S14: Quantify equipment requirements and timelines for tasks to be carried out.
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S15: Communicate with key stakeholders in the customer's organisation including the customer, the construction design and management CDM co-ordinator, the project manager and the information technology IT security officer.
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S16: Maintain cyber security, applying processes and procedures aimed at protecting data confidentiality.
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B1: Works professionally, taking initiative and acting with an ethical approach.
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B2: Prioritise the safety of self and others.
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B3: Self-motivated and able to work alone or as part of a team. The ability to work with colleagues whilst contributing to a supportive and inclusive, diverse workplace, respectful of different views.
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B4: Be organised and apply effective time management to meet deadlines.
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Qualification type: T Level
Qualification level: 3
Awarding organisation: NCFE
Approval date: 17/12/2020
Available from: 01/09/2021
Occupational specialism: Network cabling
ST0485 Network cable installer
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