The Fiber Optic Association, Inc. (FOA)

The September FOA Newsletter is online now Features: • New FOA Badge In Fiber Optics • Looking Inside Corning's Fiber Plant • Marketplace on NPR Series On Broadband • Fiber Optics In A Water Treatment Plant • Feedback From A Tech In The Field • AI Is A Threat To Itself • New Fiber U Course on Safety • History Of The Utility Pole • New Edition of FOA Basic Fiber Textbook • Online Credentials For Schools & Instructors • Updated OTDR Trainer • FOA Programs For STEM Education • What's New And Popular On FOA Website https://lnkd.in/gJx2Egu9

Introducing The FOA Badge In Fiber Optics The Fiber Optic Association (F)A), the nonprofit professional association for fiber optics and the international certifying body, is introducing a new way to recognize the accomplishments of professionals in fiber optics, the FOA Badge in Fiber Optics. Since 1995, FOA has focused on certifying fiber optic technicians, the workers who design and build fiber optic networks, certifying almost 100,000 CFOTÒ Certified Fiber Optic Technicians to date. But not everyone working in fiber optics is a tech who needs the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to design, install, and test fiber optic networks. FOA has been asked many times about credentials for other professionals in fiber optics. Besides the technicians that design, build and operate the fiber optic networks the world uses for communications, there are many other professionals that are essential for the success of the fiber optic and cabling industries. These professionals manufacture, sell and distribute fiber optic components or plan and manage the projects that include fiber optics.   For all the professionals working in the fiber optic field. FOA now offers the FOA Badge in Fiber Optics. The FOA Badge in Fiber Optics recognizes the knowledge and experience they have and provides an online Digital Badge, a personal web page and badge, sharable on social media like LinkedIn and Facebook. To earn the FOA Badge in Fiber Optics, you must have at experience working in a job that involves fiber optics and pass an online test. There is a free online preparation course at Fiber U. Link to web page: https://lnkd.in/gMycCwaM

What's A Fiber Identifier? It'ss a useful instrument that finds live fibers or identifies a particular fiber. Read Vladimir Grozdanovic's article about fiber identifiers. https://lnkd.in/gXZX5EHm

Remember FOA's Articles On Disaster Preparation? Rising Frustration in Houston After Millions Lost Power in Storm With outages expected to last days, a top state official promised to look into whether the utility company could have done more to prepare for Hurricane Beryl. The outages from the storm affected as many as 2.7 million customers across the state, mostly in and around Houston. The scale of the outages raised questions about whether enough had been done to prepare the city, just 50 miles from the Gulf Coast, for the kinds of storms that climate scientists predict will arrive with greater frequency. “For a Category 1 hurricane to result in over a million customer outages in its immediate aftermath demonstrates that there is plenty of need for the resiliency hardening investments,” said Wei Du, an energy expert with PA Consulting and a former senior analyst and engineer for Con Edison. The sheer number of damaged lines accounted for the extent of the outages, which surpassed those during Hurricane Ike in 2008. Read the article in the NYTimes: https://lnkd.in/gFU3zSia

Despite Roadblocks, Municipal Broadband Is Growing in US There are currently 16 states in total that have restrictive legislation against municipal broadband networks in the U.S. Despite restrictions, municipal broadband has grown fast in recent years, with 47 new community networks coming online since 2021. Across many states, municipal broadband is being championed in ways we have never seen before, despite the lack of federal support. This is partially thanks to the upcoming Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) grants, which will heavily benefit many local communities in states that encourage municipal operations. 16 states currently have laws in place hindering municipal broadband networks in substantial ways. Three additional states (Iowa, Oregon, and Wyoming) have other forms of roadblocks in place that make operating municipal networks more difficult. An article on the Broadband Now website covers the states with restrictions as well as the states promoting municipal broadband. https://lnkd.in/g9wUX-4b

Reskilling & Upskilling: Preparing for the Future of Work In the coming years, millions of workers will need to be reskilled as technology transforms industries. While this shift poses challenges, it also presents exciting opportunities for growth. By embracing new skills and adapting to changing roles, workers will have the chance to thrive in an evolving job market. Join our exceptional lineup of speakers who have decades of experience growing businesses and teams across various sectors, and who have implemented digital badges to recognize achievements, skills, and competencies. Learn about: – Upskilling and Reskilling Strategies – Empowerment vs. Mandates in Training Programs – Personalization and Flexibility in Learning – AI Innovations in Professional Development – Measuring Success and ROI with Digital Badging and Micro-Credentialing

How high speed fiber optic internet cables are made - Washington Post https://lnkd.in/dd4av26r

Looking to stand out in the competitive broadband industry? Investing in a certification can boost your career by demonstrating expertise and opening doors to endless opportunities. Read the article by Jim Hayes of The Fiber Optic Association, Inc. (FOA) to learn more: https://bit.ly/4ce0db6

Wondering how you can get the most out of next week's #ISEEXPO? Read Jim Hayes, President of The Fiber Optic Association, Inc. (FOA)'s suggestions: