The demand for qualified fiber optic technicians is growing and access to the communication industry’s best practices knowledge is vital to keeping up with that demand. From online courses to full certifications, training provides valuable, real-world knowledge that technicians can use in day-to-day fiber optic deployments.
Clearfield® takes very seriously our responsibility to share our experience and expertise to expand the knowledge base in the communications industry. We established Clearfield College several years ago to provide product and application instruction on Clearfield's innovative fiber management products. In 2019, we began industry certification training by partnering with the Fiber Optic Association (FOA), a non-profit educational organization founded in 1995.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues and many businesses still operate remotely, Clearfield has developed an online training initiative to help expand your skills, knowledge and abilities. We now offer the FOA Certified Fiber Optics Technician (CFOT®) training live online.
The classroom portion of our CFOT training online runs in two 4-hour sessions on consecutive days. When we’re able to meet again in person, we will start the second installment of the course…where students will benefit from hands-on training that culminates with the CFOT Exam.
The online segment of the course covers all of the classroom training for the CFOT certification. Our expert instructors host live sessions with seamless interaction. You may raise your virtual hand and ask questions or ask via a text chat.
It's a great opportunity to take advantage of social distancing to grow your fiber knowledge in a group setting. Plus, since we do not have the typical operational expenses to carry out the event, we offer the online certification at a reduced price.
If you want to know more about our CFOT training, we’d love to hear from you! See our Industry Certification Training page for more information, including a list of regional training locations/dates. If you need anything else, please reach out to Clearfield. We’re happy to help.
By Kelly Weissmann
Kelly Weissmann, Sr. Manager—Technical Support, has over 30 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. Kelly came to Clearfield over 6 years ago to oversee and grow the technical training program that we offer to customers. She is a Certified Fiber Optic Technician (CFOT).
Kelly provides classroom, hands-on training for our customers on the proper installation methods for all of our products. Kelly’s vast knowledge also allows her to provide a variety of curriculum to cover fiber optic technology, fiber management, the need to inspect and clean connectors when necessary and more.
Kelly’s experience includes working as a universal tech/ splicer in the network, plus as a team leader for repair crews and for the ADSL Qualification/Installation crew. She then moved to technical training, where Kelly thoroughly trained all technicians in safe pole climbing/ladder safety and all OSP technicians in construction, maintenance and repair of fiber optic networks, copper networks and premise coax networks.