AVAYA telephone technician,NEC telephone technician,SAMSUNG telephone technician,NORTEL telephone technician,PANASONIC telephone technician,Lg-Ericsson telephone technician,AVAYA phone techician,NEC phone technician,SAMSUNG phone tecnician,PANASONIC phone technician,Lg-Ericsson phone technician,AVAYA technician,NEC technician,PANASONIC technician,Lg-Ericsson technician. Telephone Technician Training and Certification Program Overviews Telephone technicians repair and install telecommunications equipment. Although many employers offer on-the-job training, completion of a certificate or associate's degree program in telecommunications can help students obtain higher-level positions. Telecommunications Technician Certificate Program Telecommunications technician certificate programs teach students how to use industry-standard tools to install and repair telephone, cable television, fiber-optic and satellite equipment. Maintenance and testing are also part of the training. A portion of the program usually consists of hands-on training in a school-provided shop with equipment or an off-campus company training site. Students are awarded a certificate upon completion and are prepared for entry-level positions in the field. Education Prerequisites These certificate programs typically require a high-school diploma or its equivalent. Previous coursework in electricity, algebra, English, computers, physics and chemistry are also recommended by some schools. Program Coursework The coursework in these telecommunications technician certificate programs focuses on electricity, circuitry, computers, systems, math and digital information. Some common courses include: Direct current circuit theory Technical mathematics Telecommunications installation and repair Microprocessors Digital and analog circuits Employment Outlook and Salary Information According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage in May of 2009 for telecommunications equipment installers and repairers excluding line installers was $55,560 (www.bls.gov). The BLS also reported that the highest level of employment was through wired telecommunications carriers, and building equipment contractors and other telecommunications companies were second and third highest, respectively. Continuing Education and Certification Information Telephone technicians can pursue an associate's degree in telecommunications at many colleges. Certificate program coursework may be transferable toward a college degree program. Associate's Degree in Telecommunications Technology These programs cover advanced skills in telecommunication system development, operations, installation and maintenance. Graduates are awarded an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or Associate of Science (AS) degree in telecommunications technology. Some of the programs offered combine this degree with computer networking training. Education Prerequisites These programs recommend a general background in math, technical and computer skills. Some students may also be required to take math, English or typing courses prior to entry. Program Coursework Any previous college coursework in telecommunications may be transferable into these associate's degree program. Students must also complete general education requirements such as humanities, math, communication, critical thinking, English composition and social sciences. Some common telecommunication classes at the associate's degree level include: Telecommunications technician electronics Technical math Network and computer security and monitoring Wireless communication systems Videoconferencing and voice systems Popular Career Options Graduates of associate's degree programs in telecommunications have advanced employment options. Some career choices include: Network administrator Telecommunications researcher Technical support specialist Telecommunications field service worker System designer Continuing Education and Certification Information Associate's degree telecommunications studies may be transferable into a bachelor's degree program in information technology or network administration. Some schools have cooperating agreements with baccalaureate universities. The Society of Cable and Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) offers a voluntary certification for telephone technicians who pass an examination and maintain continuing education requirements. Additional training and education opportunities are also available through SCTE and other associations, such as the Telecommunications Industry Association.