nbn has launched new training facilities to improve customer experience for Australian homes and businesses.
The new Network Simulation Labs are part of nbn’s commitment to work alongside industry to improve the customer experience of connecting Australians to the NBN.
The training labs will provide training and assessments for more than 2000 in-field telecommunications workers on how to deploy, activate and maintain the NBN by simulating the variety of challenges and complexities that arise when rolling it out.
Trainees will access every fixed-line technology solution used to deliver the new network and get real-time experiences in connecting pits and pipes to homes and businesses, installing equipment before the network is activated and helping to resolve connection faults.
The labs aim to ensure both the current and future workforce can further develop their knowledge and skills to continually improve the quality of the NBN.
The first NBN Network Simulation Lab opened at TAFE NSW’s Lidcombe campus with plans to launch additional facilities across Australia throughout 2018.
“With more than 30,000 workers out in the field helping to roll the NBN access network out, we remain committed to the continuous development of a highly capable workforce, to ensure the network delivers the quality Australians expect,” nbn Chief Network Engineering Officer, Peter Ryan said.
Mr Ryan said the launch coincides with the peak build phase of the network with up to 100,000 new Australian homes and businesses being added each month.
“This means we require highly competent, multi-skilled technical workers to not only deploy the network but also help deliver quality experiences for people who connect to and use the NBN access network.
“There are lots of complexities which come up when working on a live network that can impact the way a technician needs to complete an installation or fix a fault. The benefit of these labs is that we can program problems and challenges for workers to deal with before they get out in the field. They can immediately see how their actions impact a live network and can start building their expertise from day one.
“In the last year, we have increased our ability to deliver network installations right the first time from eight out of ten times to around nine out of ten today – the new NBN Network Simulation Labs are part of our plan to ensure we continue to improve.”
TAFE NSW’s Head of Skillspoint, Technology and Business Services, Dr Geethani Nair, said, “As the largest education and training provider in Australia, TAFE NSW is committed to providing high quality, industry-relevant training for the jobs of tomorrow.
“TAFE NSW is focused on working in partnership with industry to design and develop new solutions to meet current and future need.
“These facilities using our qualified trainers will equip nbn Co’s infield workers across the country with the skills they need to successfully build, operate and maintain one of the nation’s most important projects.”
