Today’s growing marketplace is challenging both contracting and installation companies to find qualified workers who can properly handle Category 6 (CAT 6) copper. For these companies to be competitive in today’s marketplace, they must have their workers certified. Certification is the best solution to provide contractors and installers the ability to represent themselves as a certified professional, and give them the knowledge that is required for today’s and tomorrow’s network requirements.

However, finding contractors and installers who can handle the latest in technology is not the only challenge. Most important is to ensure that you are dealing with companies dedicated to keep their skills up to date with evolving technology. With the rapid changes in standards, technology, and growing competition, this is becoming more difficult. Just two years ago, Category 5 and Category 5e cables could adequately serve high- speed computer communications, but today, high-speed computers are requiring CAT 6 cables, CAT 6 hardware, and contractors and installers need to know when and how to install it. Installing a CAT 6 structured wiring system is not an easy process, but with the proper training, any certified professional can do it.

Basic skills with a focus on emerging CAT 6 cabling technologies are at the core of today's training courses. The most common courses to take are offered by associations, manufacturers, distributors, and colleges that are within the telecommunications industry and that are BICSI (Building Industry Consultant Services International) certified. Courses that are BICSI certified meets basic industry standards, but are time consuming and expensive. Each technician has to go through 40 hours of training and pass extensive written and hands-on testing. Web-based courses can provide contractors and installers with a foundation of knowledge, but they must get the physical hands-on training, so they can see what the challenges are.

When taking a course offered by a manufacture, they should have been in business for at least 15 to 20 years. Verify that all of their components are TIA/EIA-568-B.2-1 component compliant to CAT 6 standards.