Fiber Optic Technician
The Fiber Optic Technician program, in partnership with the Arkansas Fiber Academy, provides students with an opportunity to embark on a meaningful and rewarding career in the fiber broadband industry. Classroom and hands-on field experiences equip students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities employers look for when hiring fiber optic technicians to install, maintain, and troubleshoot fiber broadband to homes and businesses. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible for the Fiber Broadband Association OpTIC Path 3-year certification.
Program Overview
Length: 9 weeks | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday | Evenings
Start Date: Classes begin approximately every 12 weeks.
Cost: Free to eligible participants. The cost of the training is underwritten by a grant from the Office of Skills Development.
Location: UAHT Hope Campus | 2500 South Main, Hope, AR 71801
Telecommunications Line Installers & Repairers Mean Wage:
$62,630 per year
$30.11 per hour
The University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana (UAHT) is an Arkansas Fiber Academy training location offering Fiber Optic Technician courses. The 9-week Fiber Optic Technician Program, co-designed with industry partners, provides participants with an opportunity to embark on a meaningful and rewarding career in the Fiber Broadband industry.
Arkansas Fiber Academy
Fiber Optic Technician classroom and hands-on field experiences equip students with
the knowledge, skills and abilities employers seek when hiring a fiber optic technician
to install, maintain, and troubleshoot fiber broadband to the home or business. Upon
completion, students will be prepared for industry certification.
Course Content
- Intro, Applications, Why Fiber
- Fiber Types, Theory, Geometry/Properties
- Fiber Optic Safety & Tools
- Cables & Cable Structures
- Connectors
- Architectures, Topologies & Splitters
- Splicing
- Central Office and FDH (Primarily Indoor Building Cable Management)
- Documentation, Values, Success in the Field Closures and Terminals
- Test Equipment & Testing
- Outside Plant (OSP) Installation
- Inside Plant (ISP)/Premises (Single-Family (SFU) Home and Multi-Family Home (MDU)) Installation
- Systems Overview
- Optical Network Terminals (ONT)
- Troubleshooting
Required Courses
AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED (6 hours)
OSHA 10 (10 hours)
Fiber Optic Technician (100 hours)
Entrance Requirements
The University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana seeks to meet the needs of the public by
providing open enrollment Fiber Optic Technician course. To be admitted, applicants
must meet the following requirements and submit a completed Fiber Optic Technician
Application for Admission.
- Possess an OSHA 10 certification
- Possess First Aid CPR AED certification
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a valid driver's license
- Able to lift/carry up to 50 lbs. without assistance
- Is not color blind
Cost
The course is free to eligible participants. The cost of the training is underwritten
by a grant from the Office of Skills Development. Tools and equipment are provided
to students for use during the course. Certifications embedded in the courses are
also offered at no cost to students.
Application for Admission
Complete a Fiber Optic Technician Application for Admission and submit it to Community
Education via fax, mail or in-person along with the required attachments. Advisors
are available to assist applicants throughout the admission process.
Enrollment
Once the Application for Admission and drug screen results (required only for the
Fiber Optic Technician course) is received, they are processed on a first come, first-serve
basis. Once approved for admission into the program, applicants have their first choice
of available training dates.
Attendance Requirements
The Fiber Optic Technician program is a fast-paced intensive course with stringent
attendance requirements. Students are expected to arrive promptly and be present for
all class sessions and field exercises. Any class session or activity missed whole
or in part, regardless of cause, reduces the opportunity for learning and may adversely
affect a student’s ability to meet the learning outcomes required to receive a Certificate
of Completion. Persons with life or health conditions that may hinder attendance may
wish to delay application for admission until a strong commitment to attendance can
be made.
If an emergency arises, students must contact their instructor as early as possible prior to the start of class to best ensure arrangements can be made to make-up missed instruction time. Make-up sessions are subject to the availability of an instructor and are not guaranteed; therefore, students who are late or miss class for any reason are not guaranteed they will be able to make up missed instruction time or successfully complete the course. Students may be subject to expulsion from the program due to lack of attendance at the point that a student has missed 25% of the class (25 clock hours for Fiber Optic Technician).
If provision for supplemental training is requested and/or required in order to meet course requirements, the student shall be responsible for the costs incurred including payment of a classroom instructor hired by Community Education, their own transportation and other associated costs should they accept these arrangements.
Dress Code
A shirt that provides the flexibility and range of motion needed to move, jeans/pants,
safety shoes/boots and personal protective equipment are required for field exercises.
Personal protective equipment is provided to students for use during the course. Students
will receive a voucher for the purchase of safety footwear. Failure to observe the
dress code and/or failure to comply with other program guidelines may result in termination
from the program.
Requirements for Successful Completion
- Attend required training sessions
- Complete all required quizzes and assignments
- Demonstrate safe practice
- Comply with program guidelines
- Achieve a passing exam of 80% or greater
Student Conduct
UAHT is committed to the academic achievement, growth, and development of its students,
and the wellness and safety of the members of its community. In addition, UAHT is
committed to preserving peace, maintaining a civil and respectful academic atmosphere,
supporting a moral and just climate, and protecting its property and that of its community
members. As such, Community Education students are also expected to be positive members
of UAHT community. It is the responsibility of the student to carefully read the “Prohibited
Conduct” segments of UAHT’s catalog and handbook at Although not exclusive, the
actions, activities, behaviors, or attempts listed are expressly prohibited.
Inclement Weather
In the event that area weather is so severe UAHT feels that life and property may
be in danger, classes may be cancelled until weather and road conditions improve.
We strive to distribute announcements regarding UAHT closings in a timely manner.
Announcements about campus closings will be made through the UAHT Website, social
media accounts and local media channels.
Additional Credential Valued by Employers
While not required by all employers, a Class A CDL is a highly valued credential that
can help you stand out among other applicants. To learn more about Arkansas Trucking
Academy training available at UAHT, click here.
Cohorts
Location |
Days |
Start Date |
End Date |
Time |
Hope Campus TI162 |
M/T/Th |
August 19, 2024 |
October 17, 2024 |
5:30-9:30 pm |
Hope Campus TI162 |
M/T/Th |
October 28, 2024 |
January 14, 2025 |
5:30-9:30 pm |
Hope Campus TI162 |
M/T/Th |
February 2025 TBD |
March 2025 TBD |
5:30-9:30 pm |
Hope Campus TI162 |
M/T/Th |
May 2025 TBD |
June TBD |
5:30-9:30 pm |
Cohort 1
Week |
Days |
Hours |
August 19, 2024 |
M/T/Th |
12 |
August 26, 2024 |
M/T/Th |
12 |
September 2, 2024 |
M/T |
8 |
September 9, 2024 |
M/T/Th |
12 |
September 16, 2024 |
M/T/Th |
12 |
September 23, 2024 |
M/T/Th |
12 |
September 30, 2024 |
M/T |
8 |
October 7, 2024 |
M/T/Th |
12 |
October 14, 2024 |
M/T/Th |
12 |
|
25 |
100 |
Cohort 2
Week |
Days |
Hours |
October 28, 2024 |
M/T |
8 |
November 4, 2024 |
M/T/Th |
12 |
November 11, 2024 |
M/T/Th |
12 |
November 18, 2024 |
M/T/Th |
12 |
December 2, 2024 |
M/T/Th |
12 |
December 9, 2024 |
M/T/Th |
12 |
December 16, 2024 |
M/T/Th |
12 |
January 6, 2024 |
M/T/Th |
12 |
January 13, 2024 |
M/T |
8 |
|
25 |
100 |
Anticipated Start Dates: See training schedule tab.
Time: 5:30pm – 9:30pm
Days: 2-3 nights weekly
Days of the week: M/T or M/T/Th
Location: Hope Campus
Class size: Up to 10
Class type: In person, hands on
Prerequisites: OSHA 10, CPR First Aid (UAHT can provide), driver’s license, high school graduation or equivalent
Cost: No cost to students during the first year thanks to OSD grant
Supplies: UAHT will provide class supplies including PPE and boots
Certification: Students will test for the Fiber Broadband Academy’s Certified Fiber Optic Technician certification
Instructor: Keegan Johnson, Fiber Broadband Technician at Hope Water & Light
Cohorts: See training schedule tab.
For more information or to enroll, contact Akili Moses Israel at 870-722-8568 or akili.mosesisrael@uaht.edu.