Being part of the digital switchover
Mildura Sunraysia in Victoria will switch off its analogue signals on 30 June 2010 as the first of a staged switchover in different regions of the country. The next region to switchover will be regional South Australia on 15 December 2010. The complete switchover schedule is available at www.digitalready.gov.au
While many Australians have already made the switch to digital TV, the Government wants to ensure that all Australians are ready for digital TV when analogue signals are switched off in 2013. The Government is running a major ‘Digital Ready’ campaign over the next three years to support a smooth and successful transition to digital-only TV in Australia.
This campaign will include public information and advertising, as well as consumer and industry programs to help Australians make the switch to digital TV.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Antenna Installer Endorsement Scheme has been implemented to enable consumers to identify suitably experienced antenna installers to help them with their digital TV conversion, and in particular to make sure they receive the right advice on antennas and cabling to get the best possible digital TV reception.
Antenna installers can register and complete an online assessment of their skills and knowledge to qualify for Australian Government endorsement. The endorsement scheme is based on industry-agreed minimum standards.
A licensed cabler registered with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) will need to undertake the assessment in order to be recognised as an Endorsed Antenna Installer. This is to ensure that the skills of all Endorsed Antenna Installers are treated in a fair and consistent way. They will also need to provide the details of a referee who can verify they have had at least 12 months’ experience carrying out installations for digital television.
Installers can be endorsed at three levels: Domestic, Commercial and/or Satellite. Antenna Installers must complete the Domestic level of assessment before continuing to the Commercial and/or Satellite assessment.
Businesses with an endorsed installer can also register to have their business licensed to use the Australian Government’s Get Ready for Digital TV logo.
Participation in the Antenna Installer Endorsement Scheme is voluntary. There is no cost to participate and no ongoing fees. Endorsed Antenna Installers will be listed on the Digital Ready website to help consumers find an Endorsed Antenna Installer in their local area.
Further, the Australian Digital Television Industry Association (ADTIA Inc.) was established to promote and monitor best practice within the digital telecommunications industry by way of training and quality assurance. With an emphasis on ‘educating rather than regulating’, the Association focuses on:
• Quality
• Education
• Skill development and
• Certification of individuals working in this industry, with the aim of everyone gaining a qualification
Importantly, this training relates not only to technical and technological matters but also to health and safety practices.
With the switchover from analogue to digital television due to be completed by 2013, the Federal Government’s Digital Switchover Task force has established a method for ‘endorsing’ antenna installers. The Taskforce sought the technical advice and expertise of ADTIA Inc. members in developing the questions that form the basis of the online assessment process.
To become ‘Endorsed’, installers must provide proof of experience, insurance and relevant equipment and take the online assessment to test their skills and knowledge.
As part of the need to prevent future skill shortages, the Government is very keen to see formal training and accreditation taking place and ADTIA Inc. is working closely with the Digital Switchover Task force to ensure that compliance to set standards is achieved. The ADTIA Inc. approach of ‘education’ as the first step and ‘certification’ as the next is already gathering momentum within the Pay TV sector e.g. Some companies are now requiring that individuals working in the industry be up-skilled to a minimum of a Certificate 2 qualification.
ADTIA Inc. is working towards a future Industry Model that will:
• Establish Benchmarks where industry providers agree on skills, knowledge, and quality benchmarks, by using qualifications and skill sets within the Integrated Telecommunications Training Package – ICT10
• Provide a consistent, independent, recognised and transportable Industry Endorsement system
• Prescribe Industry Certified Training & Assessment Programs to underpin competency standards
• Implement an independent quality assurance program where inspections and audits monitor Quality Performance and ensure conformity, in line with industry standards and benchmarks
• Encourage a Professional Development Program to ensure all endorsement holders are informed and current in both skills and knowledge
• Increase Marketing to attract the ‘right’ people for the sector and increase the opportunities for students and others to enter through government funded VET programs.
ADTIA has membership categories available for all levels within the digital television and telecommunications sector, from individual domestic installers to the larger commercial system designers, installation companies and manufacturers. If you work within any of these areas, we would encourage you to join an Association of like minded individuals, whose aim is to support each other and the industry into the future.
-
ADVERTISEMENT
-
ADVERTISEMENT
-
ADVERTISEMENT
-
ADVERTISEMENT