SCTE•ISBE has created a Proactive Network Maintenance (PNM) Working Group within its standards program.

The group, which will strive to create standardize PNM solutions, is also aligned with CableLabs on the aim to provide operational practices, guidelines, and training focused on the effort.

As part of the SCTE•ISBE Standards Program’s Network Operations Subcommittee, the new working group will standardize PNM technology for operations and in the field that will encompass in-home networks (including wireless, optical and in-home wired platforms such as MoCA), consistent guidelines and tools across all networks, and a common framework and architecture designed to accelerate operational use of PNM metrics.

Larry Wolcott, fellow and distinguished engineer for Comcast and PNM expert, has been appointed chair of the group, whose first meeting is set for Tuesday, May 9.

“CableLabs has been developing and testing new PNM technologies and use cases,” Chris Bastian, senior vice president and CTO of SCTE•ISBE, said in a statement.  “Our new PNM Working Group will expedite the introduction of these new PNM solutions that improve employee and customer experiences, as well as the performance, functionality, and economics of all types of MSO access and in-home networks.”

“Preventive maintenance has been a guiding principle for a long time in cable, but consistently enacting a proactive culture requires more than tools and technology,” added Curtis Knittle, vice president of wired technologies for CableLabs. “The creation of the SCTE•ISBE Proactive Network Maintenance (PNM) Working Group brings together the research and tools developed by CableLabs and the operational experience of MSOs to ensure that art and science converge in a way that can translate to useful practices.”

“We’re committed to using tools and technology to enhance the reliability of our network and improve customer experience,” said Wolcott.

The Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE), the SCTE Foundation, and Comcast have teamed with and Georgia Tech Professional Education (GTPE) on a pilot training program designed to bring cable telecommunications career opportunities to transitioning members of the armed forces.

They said Comcast has entered into a pilot training partnership with GTPE’s Veterans Education Training and Transition (VET2) program to recruit and train two initial groups of up to 20 participants each for cable telecommunications engineering careers.

The program, they said, is utilizing the training resources of SCTE and its global arm, the International Society of Broadband Experts (ISBE).  Training will be funded by a grant from the SCTE Foundation.

The seven-month process includes student selection and pre-certification, self-paced SCTE/ISBE online training, and an internship that combines academics and practical experience. Up to 40 participants with multiple years of military experience in communications or IT-related areas will be selected.

Initial student screening and pre-certification are being conducted by Georgia Tech Professional Education for service members residing in close proximity to Fort Gordon, Fort Stewart and Warner Robins Air Force Base. Beginning in Q2 2016, students in the first class will complete SCTE/ISBE online training and certification for one of two tracks:  Field Technician, which requires attainment of SCTE/ISBE Broadband Premises Installer (BPI) certification, or Headend Technician, which requires attainment of SCTE/ISBE Broadband TelecomCenter Specialist (BTCS) certification. 

Launched in 2013, VET2 maintains a 100% job offer rate for service members completing the program, they said.

Comcast is using the program to identify, engage and offer training and internship opportunities to high-potential transitioning service members, enabling new career paths for program participants and a source of highly trained individuals for the cable workforce.

“We are thrilled to partner with these respected organizations to connect with military talent early in the transition process,” said Carol Eggert, vice president, military and veteran affairs for Comcast and Brigadier General (R), U.S. Army.  “These highly motivated, talented participants will have the chance to explore exciting career paths in our industry, and we look forward to the opportunity to have them join our team.”

“Georgia Tech has a 130-year history supporting veterans in our community,” added Dr. James Wilburn, director of military academic programs at Georgia Tech Professional Education. “This program brings together a major employer that shares our commitment to veterans, industry-leading technical and workforce education, and the funding needed to streamline that process for participants.”

“Our military veterans represent a deep pool of highly skilled, well-trained talent that would be a tremendous asset to cable,” said Mark Dzuban, president and CEO of SCTE/ISBE.  “Our hat is off to Comcast for working with Georgia Tech Professional Education, the SCTE Foundation and SCTE/ISBE to show how the vast resources of our industry and its training partners can help these dedicated men and women transition their military training to new civilian careers.”

“As consumers depend increasingly on technology for all of their entertainment and communications needs, our need for world-class technical skills is growing,” said Mark Hess, president of the SCTE Foundation and senior vice president, business and industry affairs for Comcast Cable.  “The SCTE Foundation’s support for VET2 will help our industry meet that need while at the same time helping our military men and women to make the transition to civilian careers.”

The Alaska Chapter of the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers has again been named the organization's Chapter of the Year, recognized for its high level of excellence demonstrated throughout 2014, the SCTE announced Monday. 

The chapter achieved the same honor for its 2013 performance. The SCTE Alaska Chapter is based in Anchorage and is led by chapter chairman Markus Kofoid, OSP design engineer with GCI Communications.

SCTE Chapters provide local networking, professional development, and SCTE certification opportunities to SCTE current and prospective members in more than 70 locations around the world.

SCTE honored its best chapters based on 2014 performance during the 14th Annual SCTE Chapter Awards Dinner last week in St. Louis, as part of SCTE Chapter Leadership Conference (CLC) 2015.

SCTE also presented awards for second-through eighth-place Chapter of the Year: Razorback (second); Golden Gate (third); Llano Estacado (fourth); San Diego (fifth); Dakota Territory (sixth); Crystal Coast (seventh); and New England (eighth).

The Most Improved Chapter of the Year honors went to Dixie.

The annual SCTE Chapter Awards also include the Compliance, Recruitment, Striving for Excellence, and Professional Development awards; a Most Improved Chapter in each of those categories is also honored. The winning chapters were:

• Compliance Award: Alaska, Golden Gate, and Razorback (tie); Most Improved: Crystal Coast
• Recruitment Award: Mount Rainier; Most Improved: Crystal Coast
• Striving for Excellence Award: Alaska; Most Improved: Great Valleys
• Professional Development Award: Alaska; Most Improved: Shasta/Rogue

Additionally, SCTE presented a Chapter Achievement Certificate to three chapters: Cascade Range, Piedmont, and Southern California.

SCTE Chapter Awards are earned based on an objective points system. The SCTE Chapter Member of the Year Award, which involves a traditional nominations process, will be announced in the near future, SCTE said.