Structured Cabling & Security Systems Training program (EPP) is developed in consultation with industry experts and is geared to youth and adults who have an interest in working in the data cabling and security systems industry. Students will be prepared for entry-level jobs in the low voltage communication industry, where demand is high and earning potential is good. Structured cabling, control, and security systems Installations and servicing employers will gain a highly trained and experienced workforce that supports in strengthening British Columbia’s economy.

Research indicates that between 2021 and 2030, there will be over 2700 job vacancies in the communication and security industry due to retirements and industry growth. Employers must find creative solutions, including hiring entry-level employees and helping them to develop the skills required on the job.

Successful graduates of this program may also explore opportunities to pursue further development in the trades or other related areas.

This program emphasizes a hands-on approach to training, where experience gained in the workshop is focused on industry practice. The necessary theoretical work component is integrated into the program to complement and enhance the practical. Industry tours will expose the student to a variety of work environments.

After completing a mathematics review, students will attend worksafe BC and workplace safety training followed by work safe BC Occupational safety officer’s presentation and discussion. Students will learn basics of Canadian electrical code (with regards to low voltage); read and interpret drawings; low voltage principles, relays and test instruments: data/voice horizontal and backbone cabling infrastructure & connectivity; learn Fibre and CATV horizontal and backbone cabling infrastructure and connectivity; learn security alarm systems: access control systems and hardware; conduit and fire stopping practices. Practical application of theory is demonstrated in shop of our campus. Contained within the program is training towards certification for WHMIS, confined spaces, and ladder safety training.

Graduates will be able to work as entry-level employees on the residential/commercial structured cabling industry. They will have essential safety certifications required for employment and basic skills that will allow them to contribute at a basic level to a variety of residential/commercial low voltage control & security systems, including data wiring projects.

Prior to acceptance, applicants must successfully complete the admissions interview and meet each of the following requirements listed under items 1) and 2) below.

1) Fulfill Math Assessment Requirement

Math Assessment requirement

• a) Successful completion of a math assessment conducted in-house by Ace Community College with a minimum score of 50%
• OR
• b) Successful completion of provincially recognized Grade 10, 11, or 12 Mathematics with a minimum passing score of C.

2) Fulfill Language Proficiency Requirement

Language Proficiency Requirement

All applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria (a, b, c, or d)

• a) Evidence that 3 years of full-time secondary education (Grades 8-12), or 2 years if the Grades are 10, 11, or 12, have been successfully completed in the program’s language of instruction in a country where the language of instruction is one of the principal languages*.

  *Applicants are advised to contact ACE Community College to confirm whether their country is officially recognized as one where English is the principal language of instruction for the purpose of meeting this requirement.

• b) 2 years of full-time post-secondary education* have been completed in the program’s language of instruction in a country where the language of instruction is one of the principal languages (includes international education credentials recognized through WES, ICES, and IQAS).

  *Language development courses (i.e., ELL courses) cannot be included in this calculation.

• c) Provide official, verified transcripts showing results for one of the English language proficiency tests listed below, with scores that meet or exceed the minimum requirements specified for each test.

  Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program:

  • International English Language Testing System:(IELTS) Academic Minimum overall score of 5.5
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) IBT: Minimum overall score of 46
  • Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): Minimum overall score of 40
  • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5, and Writing 5.
  • Duolingo English Test (DET): Minimum overall score of 95
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: Minimum overall score of 43
  • Cambridge English Qualifications: B2 First exam (FCE)
  • Institutions may include other Cambridge Qualifications at a higher level (i.e., C2 Proficiency (CPE)): Minimum overall score of 160 or “C”
  • Cambridge Linguaskill: Minimum overall B2 level
  • LANGUAGECERT Academic: Minimum overall B2 level
  • The Michigan English Test (MET): Minimum overall B2 level
  • iTEP Academic: Minimum overall score of 3.5
  • EIKEN: Minimum placement of Grade Pre-1

• d) Mature student applicants ONLY:

  Applicant is 19 years or older at the start of the program and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who cannot access is their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education as outlined above:

  • I. Applicant must provide attestation that they have completed at least three years of full-time instruction in English in a country where the English is one of the principal languages.

• II. Applicant completes an Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation: Reading, Writing and WritePlacer) and achieves the following minimum scores:
  • ✓ Reading: 230
  • ✓ Writing: 230
  • ✓ WritePlacer: 4

Upon completion of this program, students will be trained to work in structured cabling/security alarm installation projects involved in:

• Loading and installation of workstations, laptops including installation of extra low voltage data equipment, including data racks, patch panels, cable trays.
• Testing of extra low voltage (under 30V) equipment and troubleshooting procedures.
• Performing low level cabling installations, including new residential/commercial Data, Voice, Fiber Optic and Paging systems, as well as Installation of Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, and fiber optic cabling systems.
• Installation, maintenance, or repair of security systems, alarm devices, and related equipment, following blueprints of electrical layouts and building plans.
• Mounting and fastening control panels, door and window contacts, sensors, and video cameras, and attaching electrical and telephone wiring in order to connect components.

• Weekly on-campus tests will be conducted.
• In the end, students will be given a final exam.

• Successful completion of all on-campus tests with a minimum of 50% overall average.
• Successfully passing the final exam with a minimum of 50% overall average.
• Successful completion of Confined spaces, ladder safety, and WHMIS training, which will be completed during the program.

• The total program hours are 180.
• The full-time program length is 6 weeks.

Students can expect to complete 1 to 3 hours of homework per day.

The program is offered through in-class instruction as well as a combined delivery format that includes both in-class and distance learning.

Structured Cabling & Security Systems Training E-book.

• a. AUTHOR: ACE Community College
• b. PUBLISHER: ACE Community College