IT Telecommunications Engineer Level 3

Course Summary

The UK Telecommunications industry is growing,  with the UK government pledge to upgrade broadband connections across the country has caused a boom in private contractors able to take small and medium sized telecoms networking contracts. Aim2Learn have designed 2 BTEC courses that give learners all the knowledge they need to join this industry as a telecommunications engineer. Our level 3 BTEC for Telecoms covers practical techniques you’ll use as a telecoms engineer.

Funded Training

On completion of the level 3, you will be fully qualified to undertake copper and fibre optic cable installation projects to the current industry standards and codes of best practice.

Please bear in mind, to get training fully funded by the UK government you must meet the eligibility criteria:

Eligibility Criteria

• You need to have lived in the UK for at least 3 years,
• If you hold a full level 3 qualification or above you must be unemployed and claiming benefits or be earning a low wage,
• Must have the right to work in the UK
• Must be 19+

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Technical Skills

Qualified learners will understand the properties, structures and components included in fibre optics and copper telecoms networks. They will be able to prepare, install and maintain fibre optic and copper cable components and understand the quality standards required when installing fibre or copper in people’s homes.

Qualified learners will be able to use industry test equipment to the testing standard BSEN 50346. Learners are trained in tone and probe to identify faults in the copper network to allow for a speedy solution to be found.

On completion, you will have knowledge of basic principles in telecommunications covering simplex, duplex and semi duplex communications, OHM’s Law and binary code. You will understand the theory and have practiced new techniques on our specially designed practical cabinets.

In addition, we ensure learners also have a good understanding of network cabling UTP, STP and FTP, cable management and working out Decibel Loss from TX to RX.

Course Structure

We start with the components, properties and essential knowledge needed to work on copper and fibre optic telecommunications networks. Then we teach learners how to work safely, at the standard expected by employers. We support theory learning with hands-on practice with the tools and components. Our students learn how to test for faults in a network and make fixes. Our tutors walk learners through a typical job application process and help with CV writing and interview preparation.

Routes to employment

You will be able to carry out tasks such as planning an installation to meet customer requirements and be capable of working alone or in a team to meet all customer expectations. We provide training that ensures completion of work to a high standard including a comprehensive customer hand over, before finalising all reports from risk assessments to sign off paperwork.

This program is a must for learners who are looking to enter a telecom engineering career with recognised qualifications and certification.

Read more about this Level 3 Telecommunications BTEC from Pearson

Telecommunications day to day

Working full time as a telecommunications field engineer, you can earn between £23,000 as a junior telecoms technician, up to and over £40,000 as an experienced telecoms engineer. Holding a full UK driving licence is a common essential requirement.

Engineering work takes place on typical hours. Around 39-41 hours a week, from 8-5, with chance to earn a little more from on-call and out-of-hours work.

Engineers will usually travel in their areas, responding to maintenance calls and completing scheduled improvements to internet and telephony networks whilst completing and logging their daily tasks.

The trade offers great opportunity to learn and grow, earning higher salaries or taking on different kinds of work, which can lead to a rewarding career in the industry.

Common Daily tasks

As a telecoms engineer, you could:

• Set up mobile, fixed communications and data networks;
• Repair lines and equipment on mobile masts and antennae;
• Lay and test underground and underfloor cabling;
• Find and fix faults, including using software remotely;
• Design, build and test components and equipment;
• Communicate with customers in person, on the phone or online.

Potential Career Pathways in Telecoms:

• Telecommunications engineer
• Business Analyst
• Technical Support Engineer
• Computer Hardware Engineer
• Computer Service Technician
• Internet/Web Professional
• IT Product Developer
• IT Technical Sales Specialist
• IT Trainer
• Telecommunications Technician