QUALIFICATION DETAILS
Qualification Title
New Zealand Certificate in Telecommunications (Level 3)
with strands in Access Network Technologies, Core
Network Technologies, Radio/Wireless Technologies, and
Signals and Communications
Version
1
Qualification type
Certificate
Level
3
Credits
130
NZSCED
031309 Engineering and Related Technologies > Electrical and Electronic
Engineering and Technology > Communications Equipment Installation and
Maintenance
DAS Classification
215 Engineering and Technology > Telecommunications
Strategic purpose
statement
The purpose of this qualification is to provide the Telecommunications
industry with people who are able to install and maintain telecommunications
networks in either Access Network Technologies, Core Network
Technologies, Radio/Wireless Technologies, or Signals and
Communications. Graduates with the Signals and Communications Strand
will also be able to operate signals and communications equipment and
networks.
This qualification is suitable for people entering a career as a
Telecommunications technician.
Graduates will contribute to an efficient, reliable, and secure
telecommunication network and be able to operate as Telecommunications
technicians at intermediate level under indirect supervision in their area of
practice.
Outcome Statement
Graduate
profile
Graduates of this qualification will be able to, in the context of the wider
Telecommunications industry:
–
Apply fundamental knowledge and principles of telecommunications and
related electrical theory and practice.
–
Apply fundamental knowledge of information communications technology
(ICT) systems and services.
–
Communicate effectively with stakeholders.
–
Apply safe working procedures and practices; and identify and control
hazards in a working environment.
–
Understand limitations of their knowledge and skills, and seek support
when required.
Graduates of the Access Network Technologies, Core Network Technologies,
and Radio/Wireless Networks Technologies strands will be able to carry out
the following in a Access Network Technologies, Core Network Technologies,
or Radio/Wireless Technologies context:
–
Apply key concepts and skills, including installing, maintaining, and
repairing telecommunications networks.
–
Install and maintain the telecommunications networks and related ICT
systems and services.
–
Diagnose and repair network equipment and services.
–
Develop and maintain knowledge of current and emerging technologies.
Qualification Reference 2210
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2013
Page 1 of 6
Graduates of the Signals and Communications strand will be able to carry out
the following in a Signals and Communications context:
–
Apply key concepts and skills, including installing, maintaining, and
repairing signals and communications networks.
–
Operate transmission reception equipment and communication networks
to international standards.
–
Plan and monitor communications in accordance with agreed protocols.
–
Ensure continuity and consistency of protocols and procedures at all
times.
Education
pathway
On completion of this qualification graduates may progress onto higher
qualifications within the Telecommunications industry.
Employment
pathway
Engaging in a programme of training and study leading to this qualification is
an industry wide accepted entry level pathway to the Telecommunications
sector.
Graduates will be equipped with the skills, knowledge, and attributes to work
at an intermediate level in the telecommunications industry in the field of their
choice with some guidance and mentoring.
Examples of roles for Access Network Technologies, Core Network
Technologies, Radio/Wireless Technologies, are Service Technician, Field
Technician, and Telecommunications Cable Jointer, and for Signals and
Communications is Defence Communications Operator.
Qualification
Developer
The Skills Organisation
Qualification Specification
Qualification award
The candidate shall be awarded the qualification by the accredited Tertiary
Education Organisation (TEO) where the programme has been completed.
The formal document certifying the award of this qualification includes the full
qualification title, the date of award, and the logos of The Skills Organisation,
the accredited TEO, and the NZQF.
As the qualification developer, The Skills Organisation will maintain a list of
graduates of this qualification. The TEO will report annually to The Skills
Organisation the names of all graduates awarded the qualification.
Review period
To be reviewed by 31 December 2018.
Any person or organisation may contribute to the review of this qualification
by sending feedback to the qualification developer at
reviewcomments@skills.org.nz.
Evidence
requirements for
assuring
consistency
All Tertiary Education Organisations (TEOs) offering this qualification (either
arranging training or delivering programmes) must participate in the
Consistency Review.
TEOs are to seek feedback from the financial services industry regarding
their graduates meeting the qualification graduate profile outcomes.
Evidence may come from:
– Regular monitoring of trainee progression within either the TEO or the
workplace including liaising with employers, teaching staff, training
Qualification Reference 2210
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Page 2 of 6
–
–
–
–
supervisors, and industry managers about the value of the training,
graduates, and qualification, to the business.
Feedback from major employers, employers' associations, and relevant
industry bodies to ensure their members involved in the
telecommunications industry are satisfied with the qualification graduates.
Regular cross-industry meetings (Industry Advisory Groups) where the
changing training needs of the industry can be discussed in light of
technology changes, workplace practices, and graduate capabilities.
Independent surveys of graduates and employers to determine if the
graduates are appropriate for the workplace.
Providing an alignment matrix of programme outcomes or unit standards
against the qualification outcomes.
Guidelines for managing consistency are available and should be referred to
on the NZQA website.
Credit transfer and
recognition of prior
learning
arrangements
TEOs delivering programmes that lead to award of this qualification may
transfer credit and recognise prior learning in accordance with their own
credit recognition policies and procedures.
These policies and procedures, and information about associated fees, must
be available to the applicant prior to enrolment.
To facilitate credit transfer, education organisations must clearly demonstrate
the equivalency or comparability between each of the outcomes in the
graduate profile, and the assessment components of their programmes.
Credit transfer will be automatic where standards on the Directory of
Assessment Standards are used within programmes of study or training
leading to this qualification.
Minimum standard
of achievement and
standards for grade
endorsements
(where applicable)
The minimum standard of achievement required for the award of the
qualification will be the achievement of all graduate outcomes in the graduate
profile through successful completion of an approved programme.
Prerequisites to
meet regulatory
body or legislative
requirements
(where applicable)
Nil.
Other conditions
for qualification
It is recommended that candidates have achieved the New Zealand
Certificate in Educational Achievement (Level 2) before starting this
qualification.
There are no grade endorsements for this qualification.
TEOs offering programmes leading to this qualification must maintain
currency with amendments to, and replacements of, relevant legislation,
regulations, government departments, and Australia/New Zealand Standards.
Programmes must reflect industry best practice and currency.
Programmes will include:
–
fundamental knowledge and key concepts of the telecommunication
industry
–
safety requirements and regulations relating to the telecommunications
industry
–
applied knowledge to install, maintain and repair telecommunication
networks in the context of the chosen strand.
For detailed information on these and any recommended unit standards visit
Qualification Reference 2210
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Page 3 of 6
http://www.skills.org.nz/resources-for-training-providers/.
Conditions relating to specific outcomes
Qualification Outcomes
(including indicative
credit values for each
outcome)
Conditions
Mandatory
or Optional
Apply fundamental
knowledge and principles of
telecommunications and
related electrical theory and
practice
15 Credits
Apply fundamental
knowledge of information
communications technology
(ICT) systems and services
5 Credits
Communicate effectively
with stakeholders
5 Credits
Apply safe working
procedures and practices;
and identify and control
hazards in a working
environment
10 Credits
Understand limitations of
their knowledge and skills,
and seek support when
required
2 Credits
For each of the Access Network Technologies, Core Network Technologies, and Radio/Wireless
Technologies Strands
Apply key concepts and
skills, including installing,
maintaining, and repairing
telecommunications
networks
15 Credits
Install and maintain the
telecommunications
networks and related ICT
systems and services
50 Credits
Qualification Reference 2210
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Page 4 of 6
Diagnose and repair
network equipment and
services
25 Credits
Develop and maintain
knowledge of current and
emerging technologies
3 Credits
For the Signals and Communications Strand
Apply key concepts and
skills, including installing,
maintaining, and repairing
signals and
communications networks
20 Credits
Operate transmission
reception equipment and
communication networks to
international standards
33 Credits
Plan and monitor
communications in
accordance with agreed
protocols
30 Credits
Ensure continuity and
consistency of protocols
and procedures at all times
10 Credits
Republication information
Version 1 of this qualification was republished in April 2015 to extend the last date for assessment
from 31 December 2016 to 31 December 2018.
Version 1 of this qualification was republished June 2015 to update the Evidence requirements for
assuring consistency.
Transition information
Replacement
information
This qualification replaced the National Certificate in Telecommunications
(Level 2) [Ref: 0338] and the National Certificate in Telecommunications
(Level 3) with strands in Bearer and Switch, Building and Data Cabling,
Customer Access Network, Customer Premises Equipment, Information and
Communications Technology, Radio, and Rigging [Ref: 0767].
Transition
The last date for entry into programmes leading to the replaced qualifications
Qualification Reference 2210
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Page 5 of 6
is 31 December 2016.
The last date for assessment against the replaced qualifications is 31
December 2018.
It is recommended that candidates currently enrolled in programmes leading
the replaced qualifications and unable to complete by 31 December 2018
transfer their existing achievement to this qualification.
Qualification Reference 2210
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Page 6 of 6