• Occupation Overview
• Future Growth Opportunities
• Job Description

II. Job Requirements/Prerequisites:

• Skill Requirements
• Experience Prerequisites
• Education/Training Required

• Bay Area Education/Training Resources

IV. Getting A Job:

• Employers Who Are/Will Be Hiring
• Recommended Job Search Strategy

V. Back To Career Guide Home Page

Skill Requirements

Intellectual - basic

• Able to make judgments and decisions.
  
• Able to meet strict standards.
  
• Able to understand and carry out instructions.
  
• Self-disciplined and self-motivated.
  

Intellectual - specialized

• Basic math and electronics skills.
  

Social

• Able to give and receive directions.
  
• Able to work with others, and work independently.
  
• Able to be pleasant with customers.
  

Physical

• Moderate physical activity is required, including climbing to high locations and working in low, cramped quarters. Stamina and coordination are also required.
  
• Able to use hand tools and electronic test equipment.
  
• Able to distinguish colors (wires are often coded by color).
  
• Able to distinguish different tones on a telephone system.
  
• On-call 24 hours a day with possible long or irregular hours.
  
• Able to work outdoors in any weather condition.
  
• Able to carry objects weighing 25 pounds or more.

Skill Maintenance requirement
High. The pace of technological change is fast and necessitates continuing education. As large companies continue to try to reduce costs, they are providing less training for their employees, and expect employees to go outside the company for training. It is also impractical for the smaller companies entering the field to provide formal training. Many programs in the Bay Area provide such training.

Experience Prerequisites

Cable Puller: None

Technician I: 6 months as Cable Puller

Technician II: 2 years as Technician I

Technician III: 2 years as Technician II

Education/Training Required

A high school diploma or GED is preferred for Cable Pullers. For the Technician positions, 1-2 years vocational or technical school, or an apprenticeship is preferred. An AS Degree in computer science or telecommunications earns credits toward apprenticeship certification.

To obtain an extensive list of training providers for Telecom Installers in California, refer to the State Training Inventory (STI) website:

• Go to http://www.soicc.ca.gov/ctep
  
• Select Search By "Occupational Title"
  
• Select "Search by OES"
  
• Select "Production, Construction, Operational, Maintenance, and Material Handling Occupations"
  
• Select "Communication Systems Installer and Repairer" in the Training Program column
  

The above website will provide a list of the relevant training providers along with their addresses and telephone numbers. The next section in this career guide ("Bay Area Education/Training Resources") provides detailed information on some of the training programs available for Telecom Installers.