SCTE Certification TutorialSCTE Certification Tutorial

UpdatedUpdated

January 21, 2010January 21, 2010

Presentation GoalsPresentation Goals

• Overview SCTE CertificationOverview SCTE Certification• Highlight Certification Program EnhancementsHighlight Certification Program Enhancements• Answer the question "why certify?"Answer the question "why certify?"• Getting Started in SCTE CertificationGetting Started in SCTE Certification

– Prepare– Getting Certified– Staying Certified

• BenefitsBenefits• Promoting CertificationPromoting Certification

HFC Network SegmentsHFC Network Segments

Hub

HubHub

PremisesPremises DistributionDistribution TransportTransport TelecomCenterTelecomCenter

Broadband PremisesBroadband Premises(BPI, BPT, BPE)(BPI, BPT, BPE)

• Technology, Systems, Technology, Systems, RequirementsRequirements

• Premises DevicesPremises Devices

• InstallationInstallation

• Troubleshooting and MaintenanceTroubleshooting and Maintenance

• StandardsStandards

• SafetySafety

These Certifications include 3 Lines of Business:These Certifications include 3 Lines of Business:Video – Voice – DataVideo – Voice – Data

Broadband Premises Installer (BPI) and Technician (BPT)Broadband Premises Installer (BPI) and Technician (BPT)Broadband Premises Expert (BPE)Broadband Premises Expert (BPE)

Broadband Distribution Broadband Distribution Specialist (BDS)Specialist (BDS)

• System ArchitecturesSystem Architectures• Distribution ComponentsDistribution Components• Signal TypesSignal Types• Troubleshooting and Troubleshooting and

MaintenanceMaintenance• ConstructionConstruction• SafetySafety

Broadband Transport Broadband Transport Specialist (BTS)Specialist (BTS)

• Fiber Optic TheoryFiber Optic Theory• Optical Transport Optical Transport

SystemsSystems• Link PerformanceLink Performance• Troubleshooting and Troubleshooting and

MaintenanceMaintenance• Alternative Transport Alternative Transport

SystemsSystems

Hub

Hub

Hub

Broadband TelecomCenter Broadband TelecomCenter Specialist (BTCSSpecialist (BTCS))

• FacilitiesFacilities• Baseband SignalsBaseband Signals• Digital Telephony over Digital Telephony over

CableCable• RF/Photonic SignalsRF/Photonic Signals• Tests and Tests and

MeasurementsMeasurements

HFC Network SegmentsHFC Network SegmentsHub

HubHub

Broadband Premises Installer (BPI)Broadband Premises Technician (BPT)Broadband Premises Expert (BPE)

Broadband Distribution Specialist (BDS) Broadband Transport

Specialist (BTS) Broadband Telecomm Center Specialist (BTCS)

BCT/E Certification (will be retired)BCT/E Certification (will be retired)

Engineering ProfessionalEngineering Professional

BCT/EBCT/E

• BCT/E certifications will retire 12/31/10BCT/E certifications will retire 12/31/10

• BCT/E designation will continue to be BCT/E designation will continue to be recognized!recognized!

• If certified, no action required (Renew, as usual)If certified, no action required (Renew, as usual)

• Options for those in progress:Options for those in progress:– CompleteComplete– Convert BCT (see www.scte.org for details)Convert BCT (see www.scte.org for details)– Consider taking other SCTE certificationsConsider taking other SCTE certifications

Certification PlatformCertification PlatformOLD Platform Current Platform

Two-Step Process: Enroll; take the exam

One-Step Process: Take the exam

Two Fees: Enrollment fee; testing fee

One Fee: Exam fee

Multiple Logins: Login to SCTE; login to exam site

One Login: Login to SCTE

48-Hour Wait: Enroll; take exam 48 hours later

Internet Speed: Take exam immediately

One Value: All certifications have the same value and price

Tiered Value: Exams requiring advanced technical knowledge have different value and price

Questions?Questions?

Why Certify?Why Certify?

SCTE Certification Benefits…SCTE Certification Benefits…• IndividualsIndividuals

• Our industryOur industry

• OperatorsOperators

Why Certify?Why Certify?What SCTE certification does for an What SCTE certification does for an

individualindividual

• Professional certification demonstrates Professional certification demonstrates solid knowledgesolid knowledge

• Demonstrates drive, self-discipline, Demonstrates drive, self-discipline, professionalismprofessionalism

• Career advancementCareer advancement

• Consistency - transportableConsistency - transportable

Why Certify?Why Certify?What SCTE certification does for our What SCTE certification does for our

industryindustry

• SCTE certifications raise the bar on SCTE certifications raise the bar on technical knowledgetechnical knowledge

• Certification provides a competitive Certification provides a competitive advantageadvantage

• Certification inspires the confidence of Certification inspires the confidence of your customersyour customers

Why Certify?Why Certify?What SCTE certification does for What SCTE certification does for

OperatorsOperators

• Used in conjunction with career path, Used in conjunction with career path, improves performanceimproves performance– Lowers service call rates– Reduces repeat calls

• Reduces customer churnReduces customer churn

Getting StartedGetting Started

• Preparing to CertifyPreparing to Certify

• Getting CertifiedGetting Certified

• Staying CertifiedStaying Certified

Preparing to CertifyPreparing to Certify

• Study Guides – Exam TopicsStudy Guides – Exam Topics

• Books, Manuals, andBooks, Manuals, andPersonalized Prep GuidesPersonalized Prep Guides

• Jones/NCTI CoursesJones/NCTI Courses

• Corporate UniversitiesCorporate Universities

• SCTE BookstoreSCTE Bookstore

• Study GroupsStudy Groups

• Individual MentorsIndividual Mentors

What About Jones/NCTI? What About Jones/NCTI?

• Jones/NCTIJones/NCTI– Helps prepare individuals for certificationHelps prepare individuals for certification

• SCTE Certification ProgramsSCTE Certification Programs– Industry-recognized– Criteria are established by industry members– Recertification component

Getting CertifiedGetting Certified

• OnlineOnline

• 50 question multiple-choice exams50 question multiple-choice exams

• Immediate feedbackImmediate feedback

• Fee per examFee per exam

• Example Exam Page (next slide)Example Exam Page (next slide)

Tiered PricingTiered PricingPricing Exam Member Rate Non-Member Rate

BPI $ 45 $ 75

BPT $ 45 $ 75

BPE $ 45 $ 75

BPS  $ 45 $ 75

BDS  $ 45 $ 75

BTS  $ 50 $ 80

BTCS  $ 60 $100

BCT  $ 60 $100

BCE  $ 80 $120

DVEP  $125 $165

IPEP $ 125 $ 165

Recertification $ 25 $ 50

Staying CertifiedStaying Certified

• Certification Valid for Three YearsCertification Valid for Three Years

• To Maintain Certification Status:To Maintain Certification Status:– Retake exam– Earn Recertifications Units (RUs)

• SCTE membership• Company-sponsored training• Seminars• Speaking or presenting• Other activities

Staying CertifiedStaying Certified, continued, continued

• Recertification WindowRecertification Window– Apply 6 months before or 12 months after

expiration date– Failure to apply within time period will result in

loss of current certification status

• RUs needed (total within 3 years)RUs needed (total within 3 years)– Specialist & BCT: need total 12 RUs– BCE and the Engineering Professional

exams: need total 21 RUs

Staying CertifiedStaying Certified, continued, continued

• Complete SCTE Recertification FormComplete SCTE Recertification Form– Form on www.scte.org– Use “Recertification Unit” Table as a Guide

• Document Your RUsDocument Your RUs– Keep track of all your RUs!– Record your events on “Members Only

Homepage – Submit Certification Units (RUs)”

Special Certification StatusSpecial Certification Status

• Emeritus Certification StatusEmeritus Certification Status– Continuously certification 21 years

• SCTE Retired Certification StatusSCTE Retired Certification Status– Retired SCTE Member

How do we promote? How do we promote? • Whether supporting SCTE or company Whether supporting SCTE or company

certifications, continue to prepare certifications, continue to prepare candidates:candidates:– Partner with local operators and contractorsPartner with local operators and contractors– Provide mentoring and study groupsProvide mentoring and study groups– Maintain the “link” to SCTE certificationMaintain the “link” to SCTE certification– Provide technical training prep sessionsProvide technical training prep sessions– Encourage chapter members to certifyEncourage chapter members to certify

Learn From other Chapters! Learn From other Chapters!

Incentive / Scholarship ProgramsIncentive / Scholarship Programs• Southern California Chapter:Southern California Chapter:

http://telecomlawfirm.com/scte/challenge.php

• Central California Chapter:Central California Chapter:

http://home.comcast.net/~centralcalscte/certifications/certifications_page.htm

Learn From other Chapters! Learn From other Chapters!

Incentive / Scholarship ProgramsIncentive / Scholarship Programs• Rocky Mountain Chapter Rocky Mountain Chapter

http://chapters.scte.org/rockymtn/RMCScholarship.htm

• Gateway ChapterGateway Chapter• http://www.gatewayscte.org/certification.html

Study Groups – Red Rocks ChapterStudy Groups – Red Rocks Chapter

Chapter Leader’s RoleChapter Leader’s Role

Communication - Share the News! Communication - Share the News! • Certification News:Certification News:

– Go to www.scte.org > Certification > Go to www.scte.org > Certification > Certification NewsCertification News

• Questions???Questions???

The Value of SCTE: The Value of SCTE: Professional DevelopmentProfessional Development

• Virtual ClassroomVirtual Classroom• On Demand Courses

• Topic examples:Topic examples:• CCNA

• Channel Bonding in DOCSIS® 3.0

• IPv6

• Member Discounts Apply on Member Discounts Apply on all SCTE Pd Programsall SCTE Pd Programs

New & Improved Benefits:•SCTE Live Learning•Tech Tips•Implication Papers

The Value of SCTEThe Value of SCTE

• Over 13,000 members throughout North AmericaOver 13,000 members throughout North America• 40 year history of technical leadership40 year history of technical leadership• Increase your Technical ProficiencyIncrease your Technical Proficiency• Take advantage of SCTE membership!Take advantage of SCTE membership!

• Certifications• Grants and Scholarships• SCTE Cable College @ RIT• InfoScope®

• SCTE Professional Development• SCTE Penn-Ohio Chapter