NBN launches new simulation-based training facilities for telecommunications employees

NBN Co has today launched new training facilities for telecommunications employees, which it says will ultimately lead to an improved level of customer experience. The facilities - known as NBN network simulation labs - will provide training and assessments for more than 2,000 in-field telecommunications workers on how to deploy, activate and maintain the NBN network

The government-owned organisation says the labs will simulate a variety of challenges and complexities that arise when rolling out the network infrastructure and technology. 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 improve and maintain the quality of services.

NBN chief network engineering officer Peter Ryan says, "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. "Today's launch coincides with the peak build phase of the network with up to 100,000 new Australian homes and businesses being added to our footprint 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," Ryan continues. NBN says the network simulation labs are part of the organisations 'industry capability solutions program' which launched in 2015 under a $40 million investment to boost the capacity and capability of the workforce employed by the company's approved Delivery Partners.

Ryan says the new labs will ensure that telecommunication workers are adequately prepared for arising issues before they head out into the field.

"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," he says. The first NBN network simulation lab officially opened today at TAFE NSW's Lidcombe campus with plans to launch additional facilities across Australia throughout 2018.