“I have truly found a career as a fibre optics engineer. I love what I do and it makes it all the easier to get it done every day to the best of my ability. The future is very bright. I’m working full time in a fantastic company and I have got a clear progression to become a lead engineer.”
Name: Ricardo Calcina
Age: 27
Location: Stockton-on-Tees
Job: Fibre Optics Engineer
A Telecommunications Supervisor Skills Bootcamp was the boost Ricardo needed to progress his career as an engineer in the telecoms industry.
Before starting the course Ricardo was working as a Freelance Software Engineer and, having just wrapped up a client project, he was looking for a new source of income.
Ricardo approached Digital Telecoms Network Academy (DTNA) to see what support was available to help further his career. When he was invited to join an information and guidance session, Ricardo decided a Skills Bootcamp was the next step for him.
Skills Bootcamps are free, flexible courses lasting up to 16 weeks to build sector skills that local employers are looking for and offer a fast-track to a guaranteed interview with an employer.
The Telecommunications course covered a range of activity, from practical skills like health and safety on site, overhead and underground awareness, introductions to fibre optics, ribbon fibre and air blown fibre, to management skills like leadership, project management and budgets.
He said: “I liked the sound of the course and the opportunities that it could offer me. I have aspirations to work my way up and progress into a management position. I thought the Telecommunications Supervisor Skills Bootcamp would provide me with the right management skills to progress in the telecommunications sector.”
As we move towards digital cities there is growing demand for skilled workers who can help develop the digital networks and infrastructure needed.
Ricardo explained that the network and accreditations gained were invaluable. He said: “You literally come out fully kitted and able to work in any aspect of the telecommunications industry.”
As part of the programme, Ricardo was fast-tracked to an interview with local fibre optics company, Cartercom, where he works today.
He said: “I was interviewed for the job whilst still on the Skills Bootcamp course and following the successful interview was offered employment with the company.”
“I have truly found a career as a fibre optics engineer. I love what I do and it makes it all the easier to get it done every day to the best of my ability. The future is very bright. I’m working full time in a fantastic company and I have got a clear progression to become a lead engineer.”
To find out more about Adult Skills provision in the Tees Valley, visit: https://teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/skills-employment/skills/adult-skills/
