I am writing this article as a result of a comment I read in my email inbox, about how expensive or cheap some Structured Cabling courses are.
First I would like to highlight some cases and then give my opinion on them.
In Peru, there are several manufacturers of structured cabling, including Tyco Electronics, Panduit, Coomscope, Siemon, and Leviton. Throughout the year, they offer structured cabling certification courses for installers and distribution channels. One manufacturer charges US$80, while another charges US$600. The difference lies not in the quality of the course, but rather in the commercial approach each manufacturer takes. Naturally, the content and hours dedicated to each course vary.
There are institutions like INICTEL-UNI where the structured cabling specialist program costs approximately US$1,400. This program covers everything from the fundamentals to certification and design.
Internationally, there are institutions like BICSI, where, for example, a basic voice and data cabling course costs over US$1,600 and is offered in the United States. These are internationally recognized courses aimed at obtaining RCDD certification.
These days, the importance of training versus experience is being debated. Personally, I think professional skills are very important, especially in the technological field where changes occur daily. As proof, I'll show you the following table, which illustrates how Intel processors have evolved in accordance with Moore's Law.“
Equally important is experience, especially when it comes to project management, where quality, costs, time, and scope must be handled with great care. In addition to knowledge, the hours dedicated to the implementation, execution, or development of this type of work carry significant weight.
As we can see, the costs of training and staying up-to-date are varied; however, there is also the social role of spreading knowledge, and to the extent that each of us can be a light for others, we can improve the quality not only of our professional environment but also of our society and our country.