Certified Fibre Optic Installation & Testing Engineer Level 3
The Certified Fibre Optic Installation & Testing Engineer Level 3 programme is an intensive 10-day course combining professional fibre optic installation with advanced testing, commissioning and fault finding. Delegates develop practical competence in cable preparation, termination, fusion splicing, connector inspection, optical loss testing and OTDR operation, progressing from core installation skills into advanced fault diagnosis and network verification. Training uses professional fibre installation and test equipment in realistic practical scenarios. The programme is delivered at our specialist training centre in Crewe and is designed for delegates who want a complete installation-and-testing pathway at Level 3.
The Certified Fibre Optic Installation & Testing Engineer Level 3 programme is an intensive 10-day course combining professional fibre optic installation with advanced testing, commissioning and fault finding.
Delivered at our specialist training centre in Crewe, the programme combines technical learning with extensive hands-on practical training. Delegates work with professional fibre installation and testing equipment, including fusion splicers, optical light sources, power meters and optical time-domain reflectometers (OTDRs).
The programme leads to two regulated Open Awards Level 3 qualifications and develops the skills required to install, prepare, splice, terminate and test fibre optic systems, interpret test results, identify faults and produce documentation for network verification and client handover.
About this course:
The Certified Fibre Optic Installation & Testing Engineer Level 3 programme combines professional fibre installation with advanced fibre testing and fault finding in one intensive 10-day course. Training covers single-mode and multimode fibre systems used across telecommunications, broadband networks, enterprise infrastructure and data centre environments.
The programme is designed to develop job-ready competence through a combination of technical instruction, practical workshop activities and project-based assessment. Delegates begin with fibre installation fundamentals before progressing into more advanced testing, verification and fault-finding techniques.
What is involved in this course
Training includes:
✓ Fibre optic cable preparation, termination and installation
✓ Fusion splicing and splice quality assessment
✓ Insertion-loss measurement and Tier 1 testing
✓ Tier 2 OTDR testing
✓ Unidirectional and bidirectional OTDR testing
✓ Correct OTDR setup and configuration
✓ Reading and interpreting OTDR traces and event tables
✓ Fibre end-face inspection and cleanliness requirements
✓ Understanding reflective and non-reflective events
✓ Understanding SLM and iOLM functions
✓ Setting up and testing GPON, XG-PON and XGS-PON systems
✓ Selecting appropriate testing methods for different network applications
✓ Identifying faults, excessive loss and installation defects
✓ Health and safety when working with fibre optic systems
✓ Test documentation, network verification and client handover requirements
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the Certified Fibre Optic Installation & Testing Engineer Level 3 programme, delegates should be able to:
✓ Explain core fibre optic principles, terminology and applications
✓ Identify different fibre types and select suitable fibre for different environments
✓ Prepare internal and external fibre optic cables correctly
✓ Install fibre optic cabling safely and in line with good industry practice
✓ Carry out fusion splicing and fibre termination
✓ Build and manage fibre jointing and splicing enclosures
✓ Install fibre into patch panels and optical distribution frames
✓ Inspect fibre connections and connector end faces correctly
✓ Read network diagrams and understand common fibre network topologies
✓ Calculate optical link loss budgets
✓ Carry out Tier 1 insertion-loss measurements
✓ Configure and operate an OTDR correctly
✓ Perform unidirectional and bidirectional Tier 2 OTDR testing
✓ Interpret OTDR traces, events and test results
✓ Understand SLM and iOLM testing methods
✓ Identify and locate faults within fibre optic networks
✓ Configure and test GPON, XG-PON and XGS-PON systems
✓ Plan a 120 km single-mode fibre link
✓ Specify the optical hardware required for a telecommunications link
✓ Record test results accurately and prepare professional handover documentation
Suitable for:
This programme is designed for people who want a complete Level 3 pathway covering both fibre optic installation and advanced testing. It is suitable for new entrants, existing fibre engineers and telecommunications personnel who want to develop practical competence across installation, fusion splicing, Tier 1 testing, OTDR analysis, fault finding and network handover.
This course is suitable for:
✓ New entrants preparing for a career in fibre optic installation and testing
✓ Fibre installation engineers who want to add advanced testing and fault-finding skills
✓ Telecommunications engineers working with single-mode and multimode fibre systems
✓ Engineers involved in enterprise, broadband, data centre or telecoms fibre infrastructure
✓ Operatives who need practical fusion splicing and fibre termination skills
✓ Personnel who need to carry out Tier 1 optical loss testing
✓ Engineers progressing into Tier 2 OTDR testing and trace interpretation
✓ Technicians who need to identify and locate faults within fibre networks
✓ Personnel working with GPON, XG-PON and XGS-PON systems
✓ Engineers responsible for network verification, commissioning and client handover
✓ Individuals looking to achieve two recognised Open Awards Level 3 qualifications within one intensive 10-day programme
Course modules:
The Certified Fibre Optic Installation & Testing Engineer Level 3 programme is structured as an intensive 10-day pathway combining fibre installation, testing, fault finding and network verification. Delegates begin with core installation skills before progressing into advanced testing, OTDR analysis, PON systems, link planning and professional handover documentation.
Fibre Optic Fundamentals and Installation
✓ Fibre optic principles, terminology and applications
✓ Single-mode and multimode fibre systems
✓ Fibre types and selection for different environments
✓ Internal and external fibre cable preparation
✓ Safe fibre handling and installation practices
✓ Fibre termination and connectorisation
✓ Fusion splicing and splice quality assessment
✓ Building fibre jointing and splicing enclosures
✓ Installing fibre into patch panels and optical distribution frames
Network Infrastructure and Planning
✓ Reading fibre network diagrams and layouts
✓ Understanding common fibre network topologies
✓ Selecting suitable fibre and optical hardware
✓ Calculating optical link loss budgets
✓ Planning long-distance single-mode links
✓ Planning a 120 km single-mode fibre link
✓ Specifying the optical hardware required for telecommunications links
Tier 1 Fibre Testing
✓ Optical light source and power meter operation
✓ Insertion-loss measurements
✓ Tier 1 testing procedures
✓ Comparing measured loss against expected link budgets
✓ Fibre end-face inspection and cleanliness requirements
✓ Recording and interpreting test results
Advanced OTDR and Tier 2 Testing
✓ OTDR setup and configuration
✓ Selecting appropriate OTDR test parameters
✓ Unidirectional OTDR testing
✓ Bidirectional OTDR testing
✓ Tier 2 test procedures
✓ Reading OTDR traces and event tables
✓ Identifying reflective and non-reflective events
✓ Understanding SLM and iOLM testing methods
Fault Finding and Network Verification
✓ Identifying excessive loss and installation defects
✓ Locating fibre breaks, poor splices and connector faults
✓ Structured fibre fault-finding techniques
✓ Comparing test results against expected network performance
✓ Verifying installed fibre links before commissioning
✓ Producing accurate test and fault-finding records
PON Testing and Advanced Applications
✓ Understanding GPON network architecture
✓ Setting up and testing GPON systems
✓ Working with XG-PON and XGS-PON systems
✓ Understanding optical power levels within PON networks
✓ Applying appropriate testing methods to passive optical networks
Documentation, Assessment and Handover
✓ Recording installation and test results accurately
✓ Producing professional network test documentation
✓ Preparing evidence for commissioning and client handover
✓ Applying installation and testing skills in practical project scenarios
✓ Completing the required practical and knowledge-based assessments
Successful completion leads to two recognised Open Awards Level 3 qualifications: one covering fibre optic installation and testing, and one covering advanced fibre optic testing and OTDR techniques.
Certification Information:
Successful learners will achieve two Open Awards Level 3 qualifications:
✓ Open Awards Level 3 Award in Fibre Optics Installation and Testing (RQF) – QAN 603/7800/1
✓ Open Awards Level 3 Award in Advanced OTDR Testing (RQF) – QAN 603/7804/9
Together, these qualifications cover both professional fibre optic installation and advanced testing competence, including fibre preparation, fusion splicing, termination, Tier 1 optical loss testing, OTDR setup and interpretation, fault finding, network verification and test documentation.
Assessment is based on a portfolio of evidence that can include practical activities, observations, questioning and project work. The completed portfolio is externally quality-assured by Open Awards.
Entry Requirements
No previous fibre optic installation or testing experience is required. The Certified Fibre Optic Installation & Testing Engineer Level 3 programme is suitable for new entrants as well as existing telecommunications and fibre engineers who want to develop a complete installation and advanced testing skill set.
Delegates should be comfortable with practical, hands-on technical training and be prepared to complete both knowledge-based and practical assessment activities throughout the 10-day programme.
A background in telecommunications, networking, engineering, electronics or other technical work can be helpful, but it is not essential.
Because the programme progresses from core fibre installation into advanced testing, OTDR interpretation, fault finding and network verification, delegates should be prepared for an intensive course with a strong practical focus.
Career Progression:
Completing the Certified Fibre Optic Installation & Testing Engineer Level 3 programme can support progression into roles such as fibre optic installation engineer, fibre testing engineer, OTDR test engineer, commissioning technician, fibre fault-finding engineer and telecommunications network engineer.
Because the programme combines installation, splicing, Tier 1 testing, advanced OTDR testing, fault finding and handover documentation, it is particularly suitable for delegates who want to move beyond basic installation into testing, verification and commissioning responsibilities.
Further progression can include specialist training in fibre optic planning and design, outside plant network design, advanced network testing or supervisory and project-based telecommunications roles.
Price:
£1,995 + VAT
Duration:
10 Days
Course Dates
Frequently Asked Questions
What skills will I develop during the Certified Fibre Optic Installation & Testing Engineer Level 3 course?
During the 10-day programme you will develop practical skills in fibre cable preparation, fusion splicing, fibre termination, patch panel installation, Tier 1 insertion-loss testing, OTDR setup and interpretation, fault finding and network verification. You will also learn how to record test results and prepare professional handover documentation.
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What fibre optic testing methods are covered?
The course covers Tier 1 insertion-loss testing using optical light sources and power meters, together with advanced Tier 2 OTDR testing. You will learn how to configure an OTDR, carry out unidirectional and bidirectional tests, interpret traces and events, and identify faults such as excessive loss, poor splices and connector problems.
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What types of fibre optic systems will I work with?
Training covers both single-mode and multimode fibre systems used across telecommunications, broadband networks, enterprise infrastructure and data centres. The programme also includes testing concepts for GPON, XG-PON and XGS-PON networks.
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Does the course include both installation and advanced testing?
Yes. This is a combined 10-day programme that brings together fibre optic installation skills with advanced testing, OTDR analysis and fault finding. It is designed as a complete pathway for delegates who want competence across both installation and network verification rather than taking the subjects separately.
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What qualifications do I receive?
Successful learners achieve two Open Awards Level 3 qualifications: the Open Awards Level 3 Award in Fibre Optics Installation and Testing (RQF) and the Open Awards Level 3 Award in Advanced OTDR Testing (RQF).
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Is previous fibre optic experience required?
No previous fibre optic installation or testing experience is required. The course is suitable for new entrants as well as existing engineers who want to build or extend their practical installation, testing and fault-finding skills.
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Where does the training take place?
Training takes place at the Fibre Optics Training centre in Crewe, Cheshire, using professional fibre installation, splicing and test equipment in a practical workshop environment.