What Is The FOA?

The Professional Society of Fiber Optics

2005-12, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc. What is the FOA?

What Is The FOA ?

The professional society of fiber optics
Organized in 1995 by 12 highly
experienced professional trainers from
industry, education and government
Not-for-profit educational corporation
(IRS 501 c(6))

2005-12, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc. What is the FOA?

FOA is chartered to promote

professionalism in fiber optics
through education, certification
and standards

2005-12, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc. What is the FOA?

FOA Organization
Offices in Fallbrook, CA
Jim Hayes, President
Karen Hayes,
Administrative Manager
Instructors On Board of
Directors:
Tom Collins, Gateway
Community and Technical Bill, Tom, Jim, Karen
College, IBEW
Bill Graham, Professional
Trainer
2005-12, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc. What is the FOA?

FOA Supports ALL Fiber Optic Techs

In ALL The Fiber Optic Industry
Component and system manufacturing
Installation and contracting
Outside plant
Premises

Training organizations and instructors

Users of fiber optic networks
Support premises cabling and wireless too!
2005-12, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc. What is the FOA?

FOA Activities
Establish standards for training and certification
Approve schools and certify instructors
Develop training curriculum
Provide technical reference materials
Distribute monthly email/online newsletters
Develop standards

2005-12, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc. What is the FOA?

FOA Supports Fiber Optics Training

Set standards for training
Approve schools
Certify instructors
Certify students
Provide curriculum,
reference materials and
certifications

2005-12, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc. What is the FOA?

The FOA-Approved Curriculum

What will students learn in a FOA
approved class?
KSAs
Knowledge
Skills
Abilities

Each school customizes the curriculum to

fit their class and student needs
2005-12, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc. What is the FOA?

The FOA-Approved Curriculum

What is included in a basic class?
The basics & jargon
Applications
Components
Installation
Testing
Hands-on exercises

2005-12, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc. What is the FOA?

FOA Certifications
CFOT (Certified Fiber Optic Technician)
Basic level knowledge & skills certification

CPCT (Premises cabling-copper/fiber/wireless)

CFospT (Outside plant fiber technician)
AFOT (Advanced Fiber Optic Technician)
CFOS (Certified Fiber Optic Specialist)
Advanced Certifications in specialty areas
(Connectors, Splicing, Testing , FTTx, Instructing)

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Who Offers FOA Certifications

250+ FOA-approved schools
~40 countries
Colleges and universities
Professional trainers
Unions
Manufacturers
Government & Military

Dave Miller
FOA CFOS/I
Instructor at
New Hampshire
Technical College

>37,000 CFOTs! (2/28/12)

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Who Recognizes FOA Certifications

US Department of
Labor
Telcos
Industry
Unions
Government
Military
Worldwide
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FOA Reference Materials

Printed - Textbooks
Website - Online Guide
Apps for tablets and smartphones
YouTube Videos
Standards

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FOA Textbooks
3 Textbooks
Fiber Optics,
Premises Cabling
OSP Fiber Optics

Self-published
More up-to-date
Lower cost
Linked to curriculum

Printed or eBooks
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FOA Online Reference Guide

Comprehensive technical
reference for fiber optics
and premises cabling
Unbiased
Up to date
Includes study guides and
curriculum guides
Formatted for PCs, tablets
and smartphones
Most popular fiber optics
technical site on Internet
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Fiber University
www.fiberu.org

Online learning site

Self-study "web-based training" programs
Online tutorials
Uses technical resources of FOA Guide
Use for blended learning
Preparation for formal training and
certification exams
Homework for students
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FOA Apps
Fiber optic self-study program
based on FOA Reference Guide
iPad only
FOA LossCalc will calculate fiber
optic link loss for design or testing
iPad/iPhone/iPod touch
Look for more, including FOA
standards

2005-12, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc. What is the FOA?

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FOA YouTube Channel

Over 60 videos
Short - ~ 10 minutes
each
Lecture Series: Fiber
Optics and Premises
Cabling
Hands-on fiber and
premises cabling
installation
Channel thefoainc
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Social Networking
Facebook open to all,
posting technical and FOA
news
LinkedIn limited to FAO
members, adds technical
discussions and jobs
posting
YouTube comments on
videos
2005-12, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc. What is the FOA?

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FOA Standards
FOA participates in
international standards
groups
Member ANSI & TIA
NECA/FOA-301 - free
downloads
FOAs own 1 Page
Standards
2005-12, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc. What is the FOA?

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FOA 1 Page Standards

Standards written BY
contractors, designers,
installers and users FOR
contractors, designers,
installers and users
Based on TIA, ISO/IEC
Summarized in 1 page
Backed by tech info
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 The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

1119 S. Mission Road, #355, Fallbrook, CA 92028
Tel: 1-760-451-3655 Fax: 1-781-207-2421
Email: info@thefoa.org
http://www.TheFOA.org
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