Optical Services Ltd

City & Guilds 3666 - Level 2 Certificate in Communications Cabling

The City and Guilds 3666 programme is the industry standard qualification in the UK and some other countries around the world. The programme has four units:

• unit 1: Basic principles of communications systems
• unit 2: Fibre optic cabling in an internal environment
• unit 3: Fibre optic cabling in an external environment
• unit 4: Copper cabling in an internal environment

To gain the full "certificate in communications cabling" candidates must pass the 'core' unit 1, plus one of units 2, 3 or 4. Candidates who elect to just do the unit relevant to their job or the skills they are seeking will gain a certificate of unit award.

Relationship to the FIA Qualification Scheme

The City & Guilds 3666 programme is seen as a foundation block for the FIA qualification scheme, and hence it is important that candidates have, as a minimum, successfully completed one of units 2, 3 or 4.

Awarding body & award	NQF Level	Guided learning hours	FIA unit approval
City & Guilds 3666 - unit 1	2		Yes
City & Guilds 3666 - unit 2	2	40	Yes
City & Guilds 3666 - unit 3	2	40	Yes
City & Guilds 3666 - unit 4	2	40	Yes

For more on the FIA unit approval and the FIA Qualification Scheme, please see www.fia-online.co.uk or contact us.

Open College Network (OCN) Certified Awards

• Fibre Optics Introduction
• Advanced OTDR Testing
• Advanced Polarisation Mode Dispersion (PMD) & Chromatic Dispersion Testing
• Distribution-Side Copper Telecoms Cable Jointing
• Distribution-Side Copper Telecoms Cable Testing

OCN Safety Awards

• Laser Safety Introduction

The Open College Network (OCN) is a licensed awarding body that operates at a regional level within the UK. Lucid are members of the Open College Network North-East Region (previously we were part of TROCN). The regional nature of the OCN, and their methods of operation, enable us at Lucid to develop new awards quickly and at a reasonable cost. This can enable the practices and skills used in your business to be recognised as a formal qualification, even if these skills are not applicable to a huge group of people.

Please contact us if you would like Lucid to develop a training programme with appropriate OCN certification for your job function, organisation or business.

Relationship to the FIA Qualification Scheme

The Open College Network programmes are seen as an important part of the FIA qualification scheme, since they can cater for both mainstream and niche parts of our industry that could otherwise be excluded from appropriate vocational qualifications.

Award Title	Awarding body	NQF Level	Guided learning hours	FIA unit approval
Fibre Optics Introduction	OCN	2	30	Pending
Advanced OTDR Testing	OCN	3	30	Pending
Advanced PMD & CD Testing	OCN	3	30	Pending
D-side Copper Cable Jointing	OCN	2	90	Pending
D-side Copper Cable Testing	OCN	3	30	Pending
Laser Safety Introduction	OCN	2	30	Pending

Note: Guided learning hours provide an indication of the number of hours of learning required for an average trainee. In some cases training courses will be longer than the indicated number of guided learning hours, and in some cases they may be slightly shorter.

Learning Hours and Accreditation for Prior Learning (APL)

For both the OCN and City & Guilds, the exact number of actual learning hours are not important since the emphasis is on ensuring that the learner or trainee has met the required learning or skills outcomes. For learners who have previously completed suitable training or who have suitable experience, it is possible, in some circumstances, to just complete the required assessments. The duration of assessments varies depending on the practical skills and tests to be completed.

In cases where prior learning is deemed appropriate to sitting assessments without going through a full training programme, a short refresher training session is highly recommended. We are happy to discuss this option with you.