IWCE 2016 once again is hosting ETA’s Education Forum in Las Vegas
By Stacey Orlick, IWCE’s Director of Community and Conference Content
After a successful partnership in 2015, ETA once again will co-locate its 2016 Education Forum with the IWCE 2016 conference in Las Vegas. The Forum brings together the leading trainers for popular technology areas related to ETA certification. This year’s Forum includes eight courses from training partners such as Light Brigade, Dover Telecommunication Services and IWA Technical Services.
Taking place March 20-25 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Forum includes two four-day training courses—Communications Site Installer (R56) Training and Fiber 1-2-3 both begin on Sunday, March 20 and continue through Wednesday, March 23. Both courses include access to IWCE’s exhibit floor on Thursday, March 24.
Also beginning on Sunday, March 20, is the two-day Line and Antenna Sweep. On Tuesday, Understanding RFID is a one-day in-depth review. The Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) Training class has been expanded to include a hands-on section and is now three full days, held Monday, March 21, through Wednesday, March 23. A new three-day course is Mobile Communications and Electronics Installer (MCEI), which also will be held Monday through Wednesday.
The two-day Interference Hunting course will be conducted on Monday, March 21, and Tuesday, March 22. On Wednesday and Thursday, you can earn your Associate Certified Technicians certificate. At the conclusion of each hands-on training course, ETA will offer certification testing, which is included in all course pricing this year.
In addition, ETA will host a short-course program, with 11 75-minute sessions on everything from “Reimagining the Radio Dealer” to “Microwave-The Changing Landscape for Digital Transport.” These courses can be added your training registration by selecting the Short Course Package. The Short Course Package also includes access to IWCE’s Short Courses, with tracks covering FirstNet, Next-Generation Networks, Cybersecurity, System Planning, Spectrum & Signal Optimization and industry-specific discussions. Mix and match the ETA Track short courses with the IWCE tracks to create a comprehensive educational experience.
With the co-location, all ETA Education Forum participants have access to IWCE 2015’s exhibit floor, featuring more than 370 leading manufacturers showcasing the latest in communications technology. The exhibit floor is open on Wednesday, March 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and on Thursday, March 24, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ETA’s booth, #121—right on the main aisle—is located in the Job Training and Education Center, where attendees can learn about training opportunities, what certification can do for you, and review any available positions exhibitors may have. Other participants in the Job Training and Education Center include Capitol Technology University, Dover Telecommunications Services, Light Brigade and ARCchart.
ETA registrants also get access to IWCE’s special events with their badge, including the Opening Keynote address by Curtis Levinson, Cybersecurity Advisor to NATO, and the Party in the Park Networking Event, both on Wednesday. On Thursday, ETA registrants can attend the free general session, “Operating Parallel Networks—Managing LMR and LTE Simultaneously,” and ETA is hosting a Town Hall titled “Education and Industry Certification Can Make Your Organization More Profitable.”
ETA members should register for all courses on IWCE’s website at www.iwceexpo.com/register, using code ETA2 to receive a 10% discount on any training course. The ETA Short Courses can be added at a 20% discount off IWCE’s regular rates.