Luminations
A
place for learning in the communications age
2008 Spring
Catalog
Volume 1
Published
February 23, 2008
Luminations:
A certified member of the Satellite Broadcasters
and Communications Association (SBCA) and partner of the Lumin, Inc. installations
network.
Serving your telecommunications instruction and
training needs from our facility located at:
President and lead instructor: Michael Lair
Vice-President and administrator: Ruth Lair
Administrative offices:
Phone: 206-660-7783 Fax: 253-639-2997
Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 9am – 3pm
Table of Contents
Course Offerings……………………………4
Description of facilities and equipment…….7
Standards of Progress Description………….8
Transcripts………………………………….11
Code of Conduct……...…………………….12
Costs and fees………………………………14
Faculty………...……………………………18
Academic Calendar………………………....19
Admissions Policy……………………….…20
Course
Offerings
Introduction
to DBS Installation and Field Service Training
The exciting field of Direct Broadcast System (DBS) Installation
begins with proper training. Satellite Technicians, such as those that work for
DIRECTV and Dish Network, must have a thorough understanding of low-voltage
electrical systems, home theater systems and general building and construction
concepts before they can begin work in the field.
This course
covers all of the fundamental concepts involved in the installation,
maintenance and repair of DBS systems. Over the span of 9 days, students will
be given classroom training mixed with hands-on workshops that will be followed
by on-the-job training with SBCA Certified technicians.
Course schedules
are as follows:
Days 1, 2 and 3- Classroom instruction on
basic DBS and Satellite TV concepts. These first three days will give students
a chance to explore the birth of cable and satellite TV, how it has evolved
since its inception and where the industry is headed.
Days 4, 5and 6- Students will be immersed in
hands-on workshop instruction. Topics such as proper cable preparation,
low-voltage theory, phone line installation, antenna assembly and pointing,
signal fine-tuning and troubleshooting
techniques will be explored.
Days 7, 8 and 9- On-the-Job Field Training
with SBCA Certified technicians from our installation partner, All Nations
Communications. All Nations Communications is an authorized, licensed, bonded
and insured contractor for DirecTV and Dish Network.
At the end of the 9 day course, students will
be tested on their knowledge of the concepts and techniques covered in the
course materials and will perform a skills test to verify that they are able to
perform basic functions such as cable preparation and antenna configuration.
Students who pass these tests will be issued a Certificate of Completion.
Total Classroom/Workshop Instruction Hours: 36
Hours
On-the-Job Field Training Hours: 24 Hours
SBCA
Readiness Course and
SBCA
Level 2 Residential Satellite Installation Exam
A cornerstone of
the Satellite Broadcasters and Communications Association (SBCA) minimum
standards requirements for Residential Direct Broadcast System (DBS)
technicians is completing the certification course and passing the accompanying
exam. The course is comprised of 12 chapters that are outlined as follows:
1.
Introduction to Satellite TV
2.
Basic System Technology
3.
Coaxial Cable and Connectors
4.
Site Survey
5.
Antenna Installation
6.
Ground and Surge Protection
7.
Primary Hookup and System
Integration
8.
High Definition
9.
Off-Air Antennas
10. Test Equipment and Troubleshooting
11. Customer Education
12. Multiple Satellite Antenna Installation
Participants in
this course will journey through the information in the 12 chapters of this
course and will be given one hour to complete the 60 question exam. The average
classroom time to cover the 12 chapters is 7 hours. Students that answer at
least 54 of the 60 questions correctly will be awarded a Level 2, Residential
Installer Certificate. Test results will be reported to the student within 7
days after completion of the test. Students who complete the exam with a
passing score will be issued a certificate, badge and wallet card.
Facilities
A Hands-on, Interactive Learning Environment
The Luminations training facility is
strategically located in the heart of the
Classroom training is done in our meeting room
which seats up to 6 students at a time. Our meeting room is equipped with all
of the accoutrements expected in a classroom setting such as dry erase boards
in our primary room and a 42 plasma screen TV in our secondary room for videos
and on-screen presentations.
Our facilities accommodate all of the needs of
our students during all of our courses including bathroom, kitchen for meal
preparation and parking.
The hands-on training portions of our course
are done in our shop that can accommodate up to six students and their instructor
all at one time. Much of our hands-on training can and is done outdoors on the
grounds of our training facility.
All tools and materials are provided for the
students during the hands-on training portions of the course. Students are
welcome to bring their own tools provided that they meet government safety
standards and are in good, working condition.
During our hands-on training, students will be
able to practice installation techniques using models based on actual building
specifications and materials.
Standards
of Progress
The system of grading by which the students
will be judged is based on their attendance, participation in classroom
discussions, hands-on training exercises, instructor observation and the
results of pop-quizzes and the final exam.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to arrive on-time to all
classes, work-shops and scheduled training exercises (hereinafter referred to
as a Session). A Session, depending on its content, may last anywhere between
one to two hours. Students are allowed a 10 minute grace period after the start
of any Session before being considered Tardy. Students who arrive more than 30
minutes after the start of any Session will be considered Late and will not be
allowed to participate in that Session. Students that appear to be intoxicated
when they arrive to any Session will be asked to leave and will not be allowed
to participate in any further Sessions during that day.
Students who arrive tardy to four Sessions
will be removed from the course. Students who arrive late to three Sessions
will be removed from the course. Students who are absent from any Session more
than four times without an excuse will be removed from the course.
Students who are absent from
any Session more than ten times will be removed from the course Students who appear intoxicated when they arrive to
two Sessions will be removed from the course.
Absence Policy
Excused Tardiness or Absence
Students that communicate with the instructor
at least 12 hours in advance of any Session, the instructor may, at his or her
discretion, excuse the student’s absence.
Unexcused Tardiness or Absence
Students who fail to communicate with the
instructor at least 12 hours in advance of any Session, the instructor will
mark the student as unexcused. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis
if there are extenuating circumstances.
Student Participation
Students are expected to participate in
classroom discussions and answer questions to the best of their ability when
ask by the instructor. Student participation will be judged by the instructor
as follows:
1 - Exceptional / Involved in most
discussions, asking questions, showing interest
2- Acceptable / Present in some discussions,
only answers questions when asked
3 –Insufficient / Doesn’t speak during
discussions, regularly cannot answer questions correctly when asked, appears
disinterested
Hands-on Training
Students will be judged on their ability to
complete the tasks set forth by the instructor in the hands-on training
Sessions. Students will be judged in these Sessions as follows:
1 - Exceptional / Student follows all
directions, completes tasks as instructed, craftsmanship exceeds normal,
entry-level skills standard
2 - Acceptable / Student can reasonably follow
directions, completes tasks with minimal oversight from instructor required,
meets entry-level skills standards
3 – Insufficient / Student has trouble or
cannot follow directions, has difficulty completing tasks, does not demonstrate
the minimum skills ability to perform the job.
Pop-Quizzes and Final Exam
Students are required to pass all pop-quizzes
and final exams by answering at least 85% or the questions correctly. Students
may retake any pop-quiz or the final exam once without penalty. At the
instructor’s discretion, a student may be allowed to retake any quiz or the
final exam more than once if the student has a perfect attendance record and
has scored at least an Acceptable rating in the Classroom Participation and the
Hands-On Training.
Conditions for Interruption for
Unsatisfactory Grades
If a student fails to achieve an Acceptable or
Exceptional rating in Classroom Participation and the Hands-On Training and
answers less than 85% of the questions correctly on more than 5 pop-quizzes
(even after retaking said pop-quizzes) will be informed that failure to
immediately improve the above-mentioned ratings will result in the student
being removed from the course. If the instructor does not feel that sufficient
improvement is made immediately follow the written notice, the student will be
removed from the course.
Reporting Grades
Students will be given the results of their
pop-quizzes within 24 hours. Ratings for Classroom Participation and Hands-On
Training will be made known to the students at the end of the course except in
the case of students who earn a rating of Insufficient. Insufficient ratings
will be reported to the student in writing as soon as the instructor determines
that the student’s participation is less than acceptable.
Results of the final exam will be reported to
the student within 10 days after the exam has been taken. Students that receive
a passing score will be issued their certificate and badge. Any student that
receives a failing score will be allowed an opportunity to re-take the exam
within 7 days.
Transcripts
Students may receive a copy of their transcript
upon request in writing. Copies of transcripts are free when requested within
the first two years after completion of the course. After two years, a fee of
$15.00 will be assessed.
Transcripts will be available for up to 50
years and students may request a transcript by mail or in person at our
administrative offices located at
Code
of Conduct
Luminations is a
place for learning where all are welcome to join the telecommunications field
regardless of age, race, religion, sex or other lifestyle choices. Students and
Staff are expected to respect the unique qualities of everyone in our program.
Remarks or
behaviors intended to offend the sensibilities of anyone participating in any
of our programs are strictly prohibited. Any reports of harassment of a verbal
or physical nature, comments including, but not limited to, racially or
sexually based slurs, or any commentary that is oppressive to any participant
in our program will be investigated. If it is determined that a participant or
participants’ conduct is found to be deliberate and that the intent was to harm
or offend another participant, Luminations will immediately suspend and/or
dismiss the offending party from the program.
Aside from
remarks or behaviors that pertain to age, race, religion, sex or other
lifestyle choice, Luminations will not tolerate behaviors that disturb or
interrupt the learning environment. The same applies to cursing and other
inappropriate language. Participants will respect the instructor’s role as the
teacher and will be sure to keep comments not related to subject matter of the
class to a minimum, and any comments made will be free from cursing and other
inappropriate language. If a participant continually interrupts or disturbs the
class with unnecessary chatter not related to the topic being discussed, the
instructor may remove the participant from the session.
Cell phones are
prohibited in class. Participants that allow cell phones to ring or make noise
in class may be asked to leave the session. More than one offense is grounds
for dismissal from the program.
If a participant
is removed from a program for having violated the aforementioned code and
wishes to reenter the program, a meeting may be requested by the
suspended/dismissed participant to appeal the decision. By requesting a meeting
to appeal suspension or dismissal, the participant agrees that the decision is
final. Luminations may, at its discretion, re-admit a participant if it is
believed that no further disturbance is likely to occur. If a participant is
re-admitted and subsequent incidents occur, the participant will be dismissed
and permanently barred from participating in any programs.
Class Fees
Introduction to DBS Installation and
Field Service Training……………………………………………….$1,249.00
SBCA Readiness Course and SBCA Level 2
Residential Satellite
Installation Exam ………………………………………….……….…$200.00
Make-up Exam (retake for previously failed
attempts)…………………$50.00
Job Placement Assistance:
As a member of
the Satellite Broadcasters and Communications Association, Luminations has ties
with many installation companies throughout the United States. All graduates
who pass the SBCA Level 2 Residential Satellite Installation Exam will be given
a letter of recommendation to the company of their choice. Depending on the
area in which the graduate is interested in working, Luminations may be able to
provide the name and contact phone number of the hiring authority of one or
more subcontracting companies that the graduate may apply for work.
However,
Luminations makes no guarantee that a graduate will attain employment in any
way. The decision to hire a graduate of Luminations is entirely at the
discretion of the company to which the graduate is applying.
Cancellation and Refund Policy for Resident Training Programs:
1. The school
must refund all money paid if the applicant is not accepted. This includes
instances where a starting class is canceled by the school.
2. The school
must refund all money paid if the applicant cancels within five business days
(excluding Sundays and holidays) after the day the contract is signed or an
initial payment is made, as long as the applicant has not begun training.
3. The school
may retain an established registration fee equal to ten percent of the total
tuition cost, or one hundred dollars, which is less, if the applicant cancels
after the fifth business day after signing the contract or making an initial
payment. A “registration fee” is any fee charged by a school to process student
applications and establish a student record system.
4. If
training is terminated after the student enters classes, the school may retain
the registration fee established under (3) of this subsection, plus a
percentage of the total tuition as described in the following table:
|
If the student completes this amount of training: |
The school may keep this percentage of the
tuition cost: |
|
One week or up to 10%, whichever is less but
less |
10% |
|
More than one week or 10% whichever is less
but less
than 25% |
25% |
|
25% through 50% |
50% |
|
More than 50% |
100% |
5. When calculating refunds, the official date
of a student’s termination is the last day recorded attendance:
(a)When the
school receives a notice of the student’s intention to discontinue the training
program; or,
(b)When the
student is terminated for a violation of a published school policy which
provides for termination; or,
(c)
When a student, without notice, fails to attend classes for thirty calendar
days.
6. All refunds must be paid
within thirty calendar days of the student’s official termination date.
Discontinued Programs:
If the school discontinues instruction in any
program after the students enter training, including circumstances where the
school changes its location, students must be notified in writing of such
events and are entitled to a pro-rata refund of all tuition and fees paid
unless comparable training is arranged for by the school and agreed upon, in
writing, by the student. A written request for such refund must be made within
90 days from the date the program was discontinued or relocated and the refund
must be paid within 40 days after receipt of such a request.
Termination by the school:
A student who fails to maintain satisfactory
progress, violates safety regulations, interferes with other students’ work, is
disruptive, obscene, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or does not make
timely tuition payments, is subject to immediate termination.
Cancellation of Classes:
The school reserves the right to cancel a
starting class if the number of students enrolling is insufficient. Such a
cancellation will be considered a rejection by the school and will entitle the
student to a full refund of all money paid.
Notice to Buyer:
Do not sign this agreement before you read it
or if it contains any blank spaces. This is a real document. All pages of this
agreement are binding. Read both sides of all pages before signing. You are
entitled to an exact copy of the agreement, school catalog, and any other
papers you may sign and are required to sign a statement acknowledging receipt
of those.
Cancellation of contract:
If you have not started training, you may
cancel this contract by submitting written notice of such cancellation to the
school at its address shown on the contract, which notice shall be submitted
not later than midnight of the fifth business day (excluding Sunday and
holidays) following your signing this contract or the written notice may be
personally or otherwise delivered to the school within that time. In event of
dispute over timely notice, the burden to prove service rests on the sender.
Unfair business practices:
It its an unfair business practice for the
school to see, discount, or otherwise transfer this contract or promissory note
without the signed written consent of the student or his/her parent or guardian
if he/she is a minor and a written statement notifying all parties that the
cancellation and refund policy continues to apply.
Faculty
School Administrator and Lead
Instructor:
Michael Lair –
Licensed Telecommunications Contractor and
Administrator, State of Washington
SBCA Certified Residential Installer
SBCA Certified Residential Installation
Trainer
Field Service Trainer:
William Kia’i Barretto –
SBCA Certified Residential Installer
SBCA Certified Residential Installation
Trainer
Academic
Calendar
HOURS OF OPERATION
Administrative Office Hours: 9am to 5pm,
Monday through Friday. Administrative Office is closed on Memorial Day, Labor
Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.
Course Schedule Hours: 9am to 3pm on days of
Classroom Instruction and Hands-on Workshop Instruction and from 8am to 5pm for On-the-Job Field
Service Training days. Any course dates scheduled that fall on Memorial Day,
Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Years Day will be off and resume the
next business day.
Class Schedules are based on class size and
number of students that wish to enroll. Courses are announced 30 days in
advance. Students must enroll for courses at least 48 hours in advance of the
start of a course.
Spring Session
Our Spring Session begins April 21, 2008 and
classes end May 2, 2008
Classes for our “Introduction to DBS Installation and Field Service Training” begin
April 21, 2008 and end May 1, 2008
Our SBCA Readiness Course and SBCA Level 2
Residential Satellite Installation Exam is Scheduled for May 2, 2008.
Admissions
Policy
Luminations is open for enrollment to persons
of all socioeconomic, racial, gender and age groups. Although we encourage
anyone interested in the satellite industry to participate in our programs, we
do require that all applicants meet the following minimum requirements:
-At least 18 years of age at the start of the
Course
-High School diploma or GED
-Valid Driver’s License with no convictions
for any of the following violations within the last 5 years:
1. Driving while
intoxicated
2. Reckless
driving
3. Driving on
suspended license
-Criminal History may not include convictions within the last 3
years for any violent crime or burglary.
-Physical capabilities to perform the functions of a satellite
installation technician which include:
1. Carrying, erecting
and climbing a fiberglass ladder of at least 28 feet.
2. Entering crawl
space beneath typical residential dwelling units
3. Entering attic
space above typical residential dwelling units
-Must be able to speak English enough to understand and discuss
the concepts of satellite technology and home electronics
Note: All Applicants may be subject to criminal background and
driving record screening at the time of admission.
This school is licensed under Chapter 28C.10. Inquiries or
complaints regarding this or any other private career school may be made to the
Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, 128 10th Ave
SW, Olympia, WA 98504-3105
((360) 753-5662)