Telecommunications Technology

Effective: Fall 2023
Certificate of Achievement Program Map
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This apprenticeship program map for the 2024-2025 catalog year provides an overview of the required courses.You must be accepted into the apprenticeship by the Program Sponsor.

Apprenticeship Programs at Chabot College are an excellent way to earn a certificate and/or an associate degree while also gaining real-world, paid work experience in the occupation. The requirements and expectations vary depending on the apprenticeship program. Classes also vary by program, with some offered in person, online or off-campus.

I'm ready to get started.What do I do next?

  1. Apply to be an apprentice for the program you are interested in www.chabotcollege.edu / academics / apprenticeship
  2. Meet with a Chabot College counselor to review and plan general education courses (for associate degree programs only) www.chabotcollege.edu / counseling
Program Description

As a Communications Technician he/she will install, maintain and repair structured cabling installations to meet the communications needs required to provide a wide range of residential and commercial services. Working with low voltage wiring systems, the apprentice Communications Technician learns safety practices, Voice, Data (Local, Metropolitan and Wide Area Networks); Video (Cable TV, Closed Circuit, Video-Conferencing), Security Systems (Alarms. Cameras, Access Control,), Cabling using Copper (twisted pair and coax), Fiber Optics, Wireless, OSHA Safety Practices, First Aid/CPR, Grounding, Bonding and Firestopping techniques in a structured cabling system, Computer Literacy and Networking.

The Fiber Optics Technician would become skilled in all the above excluding security systems with additional training in outside fiber optics splicing including installation, maintenance, testing and repair of buried and aerial fiber optics cabling.


What can I do with this major?

To be a Communications Technician Apprentice or a Fiber Optics Technician/Splicer an applicant must first be employed by a signatory Communications Worker of America (CWA) employer who is participating in the apprenticeship program and a CWA Union Member.


Learning and Career Pathway

    Icon Key

    = Critical Course = Prerequisite for Other Courses = Prerequisite Required = Required for Major GE = General Education

    To be a Communications Technician Apprentice or a Fiber Optics Technician/Splicer an applicant must first be employed by a signatory Communications Worker of America (CWA) employer who is participating in the apprenticeship program and a CWA Union Member.

    APTE 9795 is a work experience course that may be taken each term for the apprentice to receive credit for working.

    Semester 1

    4 units

    APTE 9707
    Fiber Installation & Maintenance

    3 units
    Introduction to Fiber Optic Technology. Provides coverage of theory, installation procedures, testing procedures, proper maintenance, and trouble analysis of Fiber Optics Systems. Introduction to multimode and single mode fiber. Coverage of how generic fiber optic systems operate. Procedures for interpreting the output of fiber optic monitor controls, optical time domain reflectometers and error rate test sets. Student must be a registered State indentured apprentice and/or approved by the CWA Joint Apprenticeship committee (CWA-JAC).
    Course Details:

    APTE 9795
    Occupational Work Experience - Telecommunications Apprenticeship

    1 unit
    College supervised on-the-job training. Apprenticeship work experience in an occupation related to student’s apprenticeship program. Cooperative effort of the work supervisor, student, Joint Apprenticeship Training Council (JATC) or Program Sponsor, and instructor to achieve work-based learning objectives. Student must be enrolled in an apprenticeship program. Students must be enrolled in an apprenticeship program. Within the academic term, students must complete 54 hours of paid or non-paid work for 1.00 unit. Students can earn a maximum of 14 units of Work Experience.
    Course Details:

    Semester 2

    4-11 units

    APTE 9714
    Introduction to Computer Networking

    3 units
    The Course provides a thorough overview of networking basics: MAC and IP addressing, hubs and switches, packets and ports, and OSI versus TCP/IP models, cabling, topologies and Ethernet basics, basics of TCP/IP and an overview of routing, major TCP/IP applications, http, https protocols, ports and network naming conventions. This course also discusses VLAN, VPNs, IPv6 and remote connectivity; Using wired (Ethernet) and wireless (Wi-Fi) methods to connect the computers and equipment in a network; sharing files between computers and explaining how to manage connections to those services with DHCP and DNS addressing; setting up an Internet connection and configuring security and local-storage options for the network. Student must be a registered State indentured apprentice and/or approved by the CWA Joint Apprenticeship committee (CWA-JAC).
    Course Details:

    APTE 9795
    Occupational Work Experience - Telecommunications Apprenticeship

    1-8 units
    College supervised on-the-job training. Apprenticeship work experience in an occupation related to student’s apprenticeship program. Cooperative effort of the work supervisor, student, Joint Apprenticeship Training Council (JATC) or Program Sponsor, and instructor to achieve work-based learning objectives. Student must be enrolled in an apprenticeship program. Students must be enrolled in an apprenticeship program. Within the academic term, students must complete 54 hours of paid or non-paid work for 1.00 unit. Students can earn a maximum of 14 units of Work Experience.
    Course Details:

    Semester 3

    4 units

    APTE 9715
    Computer Literacy

    3 units
    Introduction to computers including: What is a computer, what’s inside a computer, laptop and desktop computers, hardware, software, Microsoft Windows, Internet, World Wide Web, multimedia, browsers, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and an awareness of computer software in use including programming languages, electronic mail, storage devices, and printing. No prior computer experience necessary; course recommended for students of any major who want to learn about computers and how to use them. Student must be a registered State indentured apprentice and/or approved by the CWA Joint Apprenticeship Committee (CWA-JAC).
    Course Details:

    APTE 9795
    Occupational Work Experience - Telecommunications Apprenticeship

    1 unit
    College supervised on-the-job training. Apprenticeship work experience in an occupation related to student’s apprenticeship program. Cooperative effort of the work supervisor, student, Joint Apprenticeship Training Council (JATC) or Program Sponsor, and instructor to achieve work-based learning objectives. Student must be enrolled in an apprenticeship program. Students must be enrolled in an apprenticeship program. Within the academic term, students must complete 54 hours of paid or non-paid work for 1.00 unit. Students can earn a maximum of 14 units of Work Experience.
    Course Details:

    Semester 4

    4 units

    APTE 9718
    Installation Skills-Level 2

    3 units
    Intermediate level procedures and practices of installing telecommunications equipment, including EIA/TIA standards and applicable NEC and IEEE codes and standards for the telecommunications industry. Demonstrative proficiency in termination and testing of copper in accordance with the EIA/TIA 568 and 569 standards. Student must be a registered State indentured apprentice and/or approved by the CWA Joint Apprenticeship Committee (CWA-JAC).
    Course Details:

    APTE 9795
    Occupational Work Experience - Telecommunications Apprenticeship

    1 unit
    College supervised on-the-job training. Apprenticeship work experience in an occupation related to student’s apprenticeship program. Cooperative effort of the work supervisor, student, Joint Apprenticeship Training Council (JATC) or Program Sponsor, and instructor to achieve work-based learning objectives. Student must be enrolled in an apprenticeship program. Students must be enrolled in an apprenticeship program. Within the academic term, students must complete 54 hours of paid or non-paid work for 1.00 unit. Students can earn a maximum of 14 units of Work Experience.
    Course Details:

    Semester 5

    4 units

    Communications Technician or Fiber Optics Technician/Splicer (Choose one option)

    3 units

    APTE 9716
    Installation Skills-Level 3

    3 units
    Advanced level procedures and practices of installing and maintaining telecommunications and associated equipment. Hands on exercises in testing and fusion splicing with fiber optic cabling circuits. The course discusses principles of security, intrusion detection systems, exploring the basics of design, and provides examples of the application of various types of sensors used to provide intrusion detection, various types of access control systems, video surveillance fundamentals, notification display devices, special systems such as nurse call, codes, standards, regulations, and organizations. Student must be a registered State indentured apprentice and/or approved by the CWA Joint Apprenticeship Committee (CWA-JAC).
    Course Details:
    or

    APTE 9721
    Fiber Installation & Maintenance - Level 2

    3 units
    Provides coverage of theory, and hands-on coverage of splicing activities necessary for the installation procedures; testing procedures; proper maintenance and trouble analysis of Fiber Optics Systems including multimode and single mode fiber. Coverage of how to splice fiber optic cables using a fusion splicer and connectorizing fiber cables with connectors. Procedures on open and close splice cases and closures. Procedures for interpreting fiber optical time domain reflectometers (OTDR). Student must be a registered State indentured apprentice and/or approved by the CWA Joint Apprenticeship Committee (CWA-JAC).
    Course Details:

    APTE 9795
    Occupational Work Experience - Telecommunications Apprenticeship

    1 unit
    College supervised on-the-job training. Apprenticeship work experience in an occupation related to student’s apprenticeship program. Cooperative effort of the work supervisor, student, Joint Apprenticeship Training Council (JATC) or Program Sponsor, and instructor to achieve work-based learning objectives. Student must be enrolled in an apprenticeship program. Students must be enrolled in an apprenticeship program. Within the academic term, students must complete 54 hours of paid or non-paid work for 1.00 unit. Students can earn a maximum of 14 units of Work Experience.
    Course Details:

    Semester 6

    4 units

    APTE 9720
    Health and Safety

    3 units
    Coverage of health and safety issues and procedures in the telecommunications industry. Included in the course will be an introduction to OSHA, health and safety related to falls, electrocution, falling objects, trench hazards, personal protective and lifesaving equipment, health hazards in construction, CPR and first aid training. In addition, overall and direct use of appropriate tools and equipment required to install and maintain communications systems are covered. Student must be a registered State indentured apprentice and/or approved by the CWA Joint Apprenticeship Committee (CWA-JAC).
    Course Details:

    APTE 9795
    Occupational Work Experience - Telecommunications Apprenticeship

    1 unit
    College supervised on-the-job training. Apprenticeship work experience in an occupation related to student’s apprenticeship program. Cooperative effort of the work supervisor, student, Joint Apprenticeship Training Council (JATC) or Program Sponsor, and instructor to achieve work-based learning objectives. Student must be enrolled in an apprenticeship program. Students must be enrolled in an apprenticeship program. Within the academic term, students must complete 54 hours of paid or non-paid work for 1.00 unit. Students can earn a maximum of 14 units of Work Experience.
    Course Details:
    Total Units: 24-31 units
    This program map is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.