The Fibre Optic Industry Association (FIA) is a UK organisation that was formed by industry experts and the organisation sits on various standards panels and supports the industry every year they have an annual general meeting and also members yearly summer seminar, giving updates and presentations to all members.

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The FIA also has an approved installer scheme where installers work to a code of conduct and individuals and corporations have memberships at different levels, also within the scheme there is FIA approved/certified trainers and training organisations that promote the FIA and City and Guilds qualifications as well as other schemes.

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Approved FIA Training Provider

Total Network Solutions (Europe) Ltd has been through the official approval scheme which includes completing examinations of its instructors and gaining approval from the FIA to deliver the City and Guilds 3667 schemes, we are one of three centres officially to have completed the scheme. 

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This demonstrates our ability to deliver quality training with appropriate level of equipment. We have heard the horror stories about training organisations delivering training with 1 possibly 2 fusion splicers and very little test equipment and even just completing 2 fusion splices, this doesn't prepare delegates for the real world so choose wisely its your money you are throwing away. Don't be fooled by words like industry approved training from providers look for the FIA approved training providers.

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FIA Approved Training Qualifications

The FIA have for many years now worked with awarding bodies like City and Guilds and produced the framework for the City and Guilds 3667-02 Communications Network Cabling and 3667-03 Planning and Design of network infrastructure. Over the years the qualifications have changed and the content requirement refreshed.

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Recently the FIA announced plans that they will form a working party called the Technical Qualifications Committee (TQC) led by industry experts the aim is to bring the qualification closer to industry requirements to ensure the skills gap is closed this is one of the biggest changes to happen as technology has evolved it has left a skills gap within the telecommunications industry and the data communications industry.

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The committee works closely within the industry liaising with employers to ensure the future of the qualifications more information can be found on the FIA website.

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Paul Forster the managing director of Total Network Solutions (Europe) Ltd is an FIA accredited trainer who has over 25 years experience within the industry and also holds many other approved trainer qualifications.