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Cabling certification
- Thread starter EnigmaX
- Start date
MWM
MIS
- Aug 9, 2001
- 200
EnigmaX:
It's an eternal question: Should I go to college? Is it worth it?
Other than the fact that it is fun to go to these classes (beats working!) and you can learn things you never imagined, there is one important practical reason to get certified: money.
Example: when I started with PacBell they offered me a job as a warehouse forklift operator which of course did not pay very well. BUT, because I came to them with a college degree, I STARTED at top pay.
I have an independent business now and have earned the RCDD certification and it allows clients to feel they are getting someone who knows how to do the job. Clients are at a disadvantage--because they are not experts in cabling--and need to trust someone to do a good job. When you are certified you have a diploma as a Cabling Installer or Technician or an RCDD, you have an instant stamp of approval that says you are, "Good to go."
Likewise, when you apply for a job your certification is an instant advantage over others.
Now one other point--some people deliberately try to downplay certifications but they often have their own advantage in mind: namely, they do not want to pay an employee any more than they have to; or, they don't have one so they feel they have to cut everyone else down to size. It's ok, it's just human nature, but it is helpful to realize it so a person can just smile politely and move on.
If you are selling your services you can use certifications to qualify your clients or future employers. You choose them as much as they are choosing you! For myself, I like quality and I want someone to pay me for doing a good job and not hire me because they think I'm cheap.
Yours,
Mike McCune, RCDD
It's an eternal question: Should I go to college? Is it worth it?
Other than the fact that it is fun to go to these classes (beats working!) and you can learn things you never imagined, there is one important practical reason to get certified: money.
Example: when I started with PacBell they offered me a job as a warehouse forklift operator which of course did not pay very well. BUT, because I came to them with a college degree, I STARTED at top pay.
I have an independent business now and have earned the RCDD certification and it allows clients to feel they are getting someone who knows how to do the job. Clients are at a disadvantage--because they are not experts in cabling--and need to trust someone to do a good job. When you are certified you have a diploma as a Cabling Installer or Technician or an RCDD, you have an instant stamp of approval that says you are, "Good to go."
Likewise, when you apply for a job your certification is an instant advantage over others.
Now one other point--some people deliberately try to downplay certifications but they often have their own advantage in mind: namely, they do not want to pay an employee any more than they have to; or, they don't have one so they feel they have to cut everyone else down to size. It's ok, it's just human nature, but it is helpful to realize it so a person can just smile politely and move on.
If you are selling your services you can use certifications to qualify your clients or future employers. You choose them as much as they are choosing you! For myself, I like quality and I want someone to pay me for doing a good job and not hire me because they think I'm cheap.
Yours,
Mike McCune, RCDD
MasterRacker
Active member
Go tO and look for an article titles "Why Division 17 will require new business strategies." by Al Feaster. (You will need to register to get to the article which is why I didn't post a direct link.)
Essentially datacomm cabling is now recognized as an actual separate cuonstruction trade. Contractors will be required to be certified on large jobs. BICSI is the only cabling cert. I know of. If you are thinking of going into business as a cabling contractor or being employed as a cabling specialist, you will probably need to be certified to get work.
Jeff
I haven't lost my mind - I know it's backed up on tape somewhere ....
Essentially datacomm cabling is now recognized as an actual separate cuonstruction trade. Contractors will be required to be certified on large jobs. BICSI is the only cabling cert. I know of. If you are thinking of going into business as a cabling contractor or being employed as a cabling specialist, you will probably need to be certified to get work.
Jeff
I haven't lost my mind - I know it's backed up on tape somewhere ....
EnigmaX:
Mike McCune answered this question every effectively.
Of course, it all depends on which side of the fence you are standing.
As a technician trying to succeed:
I have several dozen installers and technicians employed at my company. I seek BICSI certified individuals. They are the one's who will be hired first at the top salaries. My company happens to sponsor BICSI training but for an installer looking for advancement, it fits the bill. It shows me that they require little or no training. As a contrator/VAR I will spend less money hiring this type of person.
As an 'End User'looking to hire a contractor:
Most medium to large companies ask, if not require that the installer / technician be BICSI certified. Especially government BIDS or contract work. 85 percent requires some form of certification. You will secure beter quality jobs and more of them with certification.
In summation, unless you are a 'Trunk Slammer' looking to just make a quick buck with non-professional small installations, get certified QUICK!
M.Bradford Sherman, MCP,A+
Custom Cable Industries
Network Designer
Design/Installation Contrator
Mike McCune answered this question every effectively.
Of course, it all depends on which side of the fence you are standing.
As a technician trying to succeed:
I have several dozen installers and technicians employed at my company. I seek BICSI certified individuals. They are the one's who will be hired first at the top salaries. My company happens to sponsor BICSI training but for an installer looking for advancement, it fits the bill. It shows me that they require little or no training. As a contrator/VAR I will spend less money hiring this type of person.
As an 'End User'looking to hire a contractor:
Most medium to large companies ask, if not require that the installer / technician be BICSI certified. Especially government BIDS or contract work. 85 percent requires some form of certification. You will secure beter quality jobs and more of them with certification.
In summation, unless you are a 'Trunk Slammer' looking to just make a quick buck with non-professional small installations, get certified QUICK!
M.Bradford Sherman, MCP,A+
Custom Cable Industries
Network Designer
Design/Installation Contrator
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