Standards Development

Scope

Cabling systems, unlike typical industrial products, have characteristics that are customized to cater to specific customer needs. Because of this, their quality is directly influenced by the expertise and skill level of experts in the field, such as Installers and Designers. Recent trends indicate a rapid rise in the demand for Cabling systems, with their configurations, specifications, and required quality standards becoming increasingly complex and advanced each day. Experts tasked to meet these standard s are constantly required to acquire the latest and most advanced skills and techniques.

However, with this growing demand, there is a clear emerging challenge: there's a shortage of experts with the appropriate skills and techniques. The level of knowledge and skills of experts in the field is indicated by the degree of recognition of the education system and certifications for Cabling systems (hereafter referred to as "education & certification"). However, the current situation, where there are different content and standards across countries, regions, industry groups, companies, and other entities that provide education and certification (hereafter referred to as "entities"), serves as a significant factor causing a lack of uniformity in the technical, skill, and knowledge levels among experts. This absence of standard and level uniformity intensifies the need for experts with consistent skills across working sites and further exacerbates the issue of expert shortages.

This lack of uniformity has created a possibility where some of the already published skill frameworks cannot be fully utilized, or their application becomes difficult.

The purpose of this standard is to bring together the skill sets of professionals associated with cabling systems and to provide a common worldwide reference standard. At the same time, it is to define the requirements for their training and evaluation. Th is will ensure the continued availability of highly skilled experts and the consistent delivery of cabling systems that comply with international standards to customers. This standard does not aim to establish a new international common education and certification scheme. It also does not at all deny the use of various existing skill frameworks.

The standard is designed to serve as a common language specific to the cabling system industry. It will leverage existing systems and standards to facilitate their restructuring into a more unified framework, tailored to each profession, role, and organizational unit.

In no way hinder existing systems or national laws and regulations, but rather complement them and help them apply to a broader range of human resources. This standard provides a framework for establishing mutual understanding and trust in the skills of information cabling system experts, aiming for the international sharing and accumulation of knowledge and technology, which in turn, enhances the activities of professionals.

While there are a variety of roles for experts, this document focuses primarily on the role of the "installer", as it is relevant to the International Standard ISO/ICE14763 -2, and their duties and required skill set can be extracted commonly among different cases of construction.

However, since the framework defined here can also be commonly used in other professions, it is expected that it will be specified as part of this standard series for other professions as well.

Purpose

The purpose of this standard is to bring together the skill sets of professionals associated with cabling systems and to provide a common worldwide reference standard. At the same time, it is to define the requirements for their training and evaluation. This will ensure the continued availability of highly skilled experts and the consistent delivery of cabling systems that comply with international st andards to customers. At the same time, this plays an extremely important role from the perspective of consumer protection, consequently enhancing the industry's credibility and fostering continuous development.

Educational and certification entities, such as national/regional bodies, industry groups, and companies (hereinafter referred to as "entities"), adopt different approaches for the education and certification of experts. As a result, the "standards" for nurturing and certifying experts, such as skill sets, educational syllabuses, and certification requirements, are set according to each entity's unique criteria. In some cases, these standards might be implemented based on a country or region's regulations o r laws. However, currently, there is no referenceable unified international standard. This situation presents both advantages and disadvantages for entities and experts.

【Entities】

Advantages:

Entities can securely maintain and apply their unique requirements, ensuring quality.

Disadvantages:

• Unique requirements can be challenging to apply to other projects, leading to low versatility.

• Education and certification schemes are inefficient.

• For instance, even if basic skills have already been acquired at another educational and certification entity, there might be a need for additional education and certification.

• Sustaining consistent skill levels is challenging.

• For example, standards must be continuously updated in line with technological advancements, and there's a demand for a system of re-education (reskilling) (as seen in ISO/IEC 17024 and similar standards).

【Experts & Companies】

Advantages:

• Through education and certification, they can prove their skills and anticipate business opportunities, actively utilizing them.

Disadvantages:

• Since each entity adopts its unique standards, certifications might not always be recognizable for different construction projects.

• Even if the content is nearly identical, there's a need to undergo education and certification again for each entity.

• An objective and absolute evaluation of skills is not available.

These disadvantages overwhelm the benefits enjoyed by the entities and experts, and the backdrop of detailed and segmented construction projects, progressing globalization, and the rapid growth of ICT accentuate these issues even more. These problems pose serious risks to the sustainability and quality of Cabling systems and are increasing the potential threat to the industry's credibility.

By adopting this standard, it becomes possible to effectively evaluate and clearly understand the differences between various education, qualification, and certification systems. Furthermore, this comparative framework provides beneficial information for both the entities and their clients. By conducting comparisons based on this standard, experts and companies can gain insights when selecting the certification or qualification that best fits their requirements.

In an industry where a variety of systems coexist, the opportunity for comparison through this standard holds immense value for society and all relevant stakeholders. Organizations that comply with this standard can offer efficient education and certification, gain a high level of trust from stakeholders, and consequently, increase the likelihood of new business opportunities. For experts and companies, receiving education and certification that are compliant with international standards can facilitate smooth transitions across different project specifications and in the international market. Th is will likely make a significant contribution to their career advancement.

The following section outlines the requirements that are to be defined within this proposed standard.

Requirement 1: Definition of Skill Sets for Experts in Cabling systems

Cabling system experts must possess the necessary capabilities, including knowledge, skills, and competencies, to achieve objectives according to customer demands. It is important to note that the required level of proficiency varies depending on the specific objectives.

• Included within a skill set are the following components:

• Job Title: Specifies the designation of the professional.

• Job Description and Task Details: Provides a detailed description of the tasks and duties associated with the job.

• Required Skills: Enumerates the specific skills necessary for the job.

• Criteria for Job Performance (Competency): Details the standards or metrics by which the job's performance is judged.

• Required Knowledge: Lists the necessary knowledge or information associated with the job.

• Required Mindset: Describes the attitudes, values, or beliefs beneficial for performing the job effectively.

Requirement 2: Education and Certification Requirements and Comparison Scheme for Experts

The lack of a universal standard for education and certification has led to the existence of multiple qualifications, each with varied content and criteria. Therefore, a mutual comparison based on common standards, and the skill sets defined in Requirement 1, is crucial.

An international standard for the scope and content of expert certification will serve to enhance the reliability of certifications that are compliant with this standard, herein referred to as "conforming certifications."

Conforming certifications, meeting this international standard, will be promoted, and accepted across countries, regions, industry associations, and corporations. As a result, it is anticipated that experts holding such certifications will experience increased mobility and freedom in their activities.

Requirement 3: Requirements for Institutions Responsible for Education and Certification of Experts

Setting forth requirements for institutions involved in the education and/or certification of expert skills is of utmost significance. To ensure the sustainability and quality of Cabling systems, it is imperative that these institutions operate consistently and stably, providing the necessary skills education and reskilling to experts.