October 6, 2009
For Immediate Release

RCCC Offering
Broadband Fiber Optics Course

             CONCORD, N.C. — Rowan-Cabarrus Community College will offer a new training course on broadband fiber optics. Individuals who complete the 80-hour accredited course will earn two credentials – the Fiber Optic Association's (FOA) Premise Cabling Technicians and Fiber Optics Technicians certifications.

              RCCC will offer the course 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 2-13, at the Cabarrus Business & Technology Center, in Concord. RCCC encourages anyone who is interested in the course to attend an information session on Oct. 13, from 1 to 3 p.m. or 6 to 8 p.m., also at the Cabarrus Business & Technology Center.

              The course is being made available through a partnership of Alliant Personnel Solutions Inc., FOA and the Mike Minter Workforce Development Program.

              The course will provide extensive hands-on practice, with intensive classroom instruction and employment placement assistance. Individuals who complete the course will be able to seek entry-level employment in the telecommunications industry. Skills and knowledge gained in the course will include:

• Installing secured fiber optic networks;
• Installing physical layers within voice and date networks;
• Connecting metropolitan and wide area networks using fiber optic cable;
• Replacing copper wiring with fiber optic networks for better speed and data capabilities and reliability;
• Installing security systems using broadband technology; and
• Working with construction/utility and communications companies installing fiber optics in commercial and federal buildings, roadways and power lines.

             Prospective students must have a high school diploma or GED to enroll. Individuals who qualify under the Work Investment Act (WIA) can take the course at no cost. The course fee is $2,500, plus approximately $400 for tools. Prospective students will learn at the Oct. 13 information sessions how they may be able to become WIA qualified.

              For more information, contact Donna Ludwig at RCCC, 704-216-3668 or ludwigd@rowancabarrus.edu. The Cabarrus Business & Technology Center is located at 660 Concord Parkway North, phone number 704-216-3598.

               RCCC is a comprehensive, community-based institution of higher learning, serving the citizens of Rowan and Cabarrus counties in North Carolina. RCCC is one of 58 colleges in the state-supported North Carolina Community College System.

                RCCC offers fully-accredited associate-degree programs in more than 40 areas of study, including arts and sciences, business, information technology, health and public services, and engineering technologies. RCCC also offers accredited diploma and certificate programs focused on career training, continuing education and basic skills education. RCCC provides a strong foundation and transferable credits for students moving on to four-year colleges and universities and helps adults get the additional training they need to start new careers.

               RCCC annually provides more than 2,000 course offerings, serving an overall enrollment of approximately 20,000 students. In addition, RCCC provides the education and job-training programs needed to meet many of the workforce demands of the North Carolina Research Campus being developed in Kannapolis. For complete details, see the RCCC website at www.rowancabarrus.edu.