The Light Brigade®, Fujikura Asia and ITE College West Collaborate to Develop FTTH-Ready Workforce

25/03/2013

Tukwila, WA and Spartanburg, SC – The Light Brigade, AFL’s education and training division, is partnering with Fujikura Asia and ITE College West, both located in Singapore, to form a Resource Center at ITE College West. The center will provide students with access to a wide variety of fiber optics-related training material along with an FTTH showcase. This center, coupled with industrial placement at Fujikura Asia, will allow ITE students to learn from experts and acquire skills relevant to the fiber optics industry.
 
The Light Brigade will offer training expertise, consultancy services and course material for ITE to ensure the program addresses the latest technology and techniques. The first of several planned training courses supports the Fiber to the Home Council’s Certified Fiber-to-the-Home Professional (CFHP) program. Upon completion of the ITE training program, students will have the necessary knowledge and practical experience to successfully complete the CFHP certification exam accredited by the Fiber to the Home Council.
 
“The Light Brigade is committed to support students and academia in the area of fiber optic expertise and certification,” commented Dario De Paolis, vice president and general manager of The Light Brigade. “We hope to inspire the next generation of designers, planners and technicians in the field of FTTH networks.” 
 
The FTTH showcase at the Resource Center will prepare students with market-related hands-on skills to develop an FTTH workforce by incorporating industry standards into relevant ITE courses. This showcase is sponsored by Fujikura Asia with equipment and consumables valued at $40,000.
 
“We are delighted to have established a close working relationship with Fujikura and The Light Brigade,” stated Dr. Yek Tiew Ming, principal of ITE College West. “The collaboration will offer an excellent platform for the three parties to draw on each other’s individual strengths and synergize our resources. This partnership is a perfect example of the philosophy of ITE to continually engage industry to provide industry-relevant education that produces industry-ready technical specialists.”
 
Toshi Takahashi, managing director of Fujikura Asia added, “Being one of the leaders in fiber optic technologies, Fujikura is privileged to contribute effectively to the industry and the local community in an educational collaboration with ITE. Education and continuous training are important necessities which enhance one’s knowledge and add value to the entire workforce.”
 
The demand for higher speed data transmission is expanding at an astounding pace. Consumers require faster downloads for streaming video, voice, music and data. Fiber optic networks provide the pathway to move this data to the end user. This trend has sparked the need for a new generation of fiber optic personnel proficient in such networks. Realizing the need to meet new manpower demands, ITE will continue to keep its training up-to-date by working collaboratively with The Light Brigade and Fujikura Asia, both leaders in the fiber optic industry.

About The Light Brigade
Founded in 1987, The Light Brigade has instructed over 45,000 attendees worldwide in its public and custom classes on fiber optic design, maintenance, and testing, including advanced topics such as FTTx, DWDM, and PMD/CD. In addition to creating custom courses tailored to any need or skill level, the company produces educational DVDs and CDs that provide focus on specific fiber related topics.

About AFL
AFL provides industry-leading products and services to the electric utility, broadband, communications, OEM, enterprise, wireless and transit rail markets as well as the emerging markets of oil and gas, mining, nuclear, avionics, medical, renewable and intelligent grid. The company’s diverse product portfolio includes fiber optic cable, transmission and substation accessories, outside plant equipment, connectors, fusion splicers, test equipment and training. AFL’s service portfolio includes market-leading positions with the foremost communications companies supporting inside plant central office, EF&I, outside plant, enterprise and wireless areas.

Founded in 1984, AFL is proud to offer engineering expertise, exceptional products and reliable service that help our customers improve their critical and electrical infrastructure. AFL has operations in the U.S., Mexico, Europe, Asia and the South Pacific. The company is headquartered in Spartanburg, S.C., and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fujikura Ltd. of Japan. For more information, visit www.AFLglobal.com. 

About Fujikura Asia Ltd.
Established in 1987, Fujikura Asia Ltd. serves as regional headquarters for the Asia Pacific, offering a growing range of products, notably optical fibers and optical components, electronic materials and multi-layer and fine pitch flexible printed circuits, delivering steadfast dependability in fields related to telecommunications, FTTx, energy and electronics industries, visit www.fujikura.com.sg. 

About ITE
The Institute of Technical Education (ITE), Singapore, was established as a post-secondary education institution in 1992 under the Ministry of Education. ITE is a principal provider of career and technical education and key developer of national occupational skills certification and standards to enhance Singapore's workforce competitiveness. Under its "One ITE System, Three Colleges" Model of Education and Governance, ITE has three Colleges, comprising ITE College Central, ITE College East and ITE College West. For more information, visit www.ite.edu.sg.

Editorial Contacts
Jim Clodfelter                      
Marketing Manager
The Light Brigade
206-575-0404
jim.clodfelter@lightbrigade.com
 
Corie Culp
PR Manager
AFL
864-433-5409
Corie.Culp@AFLglobal.com