e-Quals 07 - The Digital Home
The Digital Home
Starting in 2007, TV services in the UK will go completely digital, TV region by TV region. This process is calleddigital switchover.
After switchover, all television in the UK will be digital. The UK’s old television broadcast signal (known as “analogue”) is being switched off and replaced with a “digital” signal. Any TV set or video recorder that’s not converted to digital when the switchover takes place will no longer receive TV programmes.
Over 73.3% of households already have Digital TVs (Ofcom report 2006) and nearly 45% have more than 10 Digital devices in the home such as; Multimedia computers, internet, gaming machines, MP3 audio players, digital TV boxes, etc. In addition to this things like home security systems and energy efficient electical lighting are also becoming part of the modern home.
Microsoft’s earlier vision was ‘PC for every desk in the workplace’ and now the talk is all about ‘PC Server for every home’.
The challenge!
The challenge we all face is who will integrate these technologies for us and how do we know they have the knowledge to make it work? Will they be able to answers questions like:
- Upgrades from analogue to digital – what will it cost?
- New digital technologies – do I have the right equipment?
- Will my current hardware become redundant?
- After installation who will provide the technical support?
- Is it future proofed?
What are City & Guilds doing to address these issues and concerns?
City & Guilds have recognised the impact this will have on everyone’s lives in the home especially the sheer lack of awareness and knowledge that exists amongst the current workforce in the UK, along with the need of new engineers to meet the demand it will create.
As such, City & Guilds are introducing Comptia’s Digital Home Technologies Integrator (DHTi+) unit in the revised eQuals 07 IT Practitioner qualification in September 2007.
Digital Home Technology Integrator (DHTI+) validates the knowledge and skills of home technology professionals. It is an international, vendor-neutral certification that recognises a technician's ability to configure, integrate, maintain, troubleshoot, and comprehend the basic design concepts of electronic and digital home systems.
City & Guilds have successfully managed gain approval from the Qualifications Curriculum Authority (QCA) at Level 2 for this unit, making it available as part of a fundable national qualification.
| Domain | Percentage of Exam |
|---|---|
| 1.0 Networking | 20% |
| 2.0 Audio/Video | 22% |
| 3.0 Telephone/VOIP | 10% |
| 4.0 Security & Surveillance | 15% |
| 5.0 Home Control Management | 15% |
| 6.0 Documentation & Troubleshooting | 18% |
| Total | 100% |
To download the examination objectives for DHTI+ click (This document is a pdf)
What does this mean to you as an Academic Organisation?
As a City & Guilds centre this opens up a whole new avenue of opportunity for your organisation by offering full-time or part-time eQuals 07 IT Practitioner courses with the DHTi+ unit.
Who would be interested?
Students interested in following careers:
- IT system support
- Electronic Engineering
- Telecommunications
Employers wishing to expand their services portfolio through upskilling their technicians, for example:
- Telecommunications Companies - home installation engineers
- Utilities Companies – Electricians
- Digital TV broadcasting providers – Satellite, broadband and aerial installers
Independent businesses wishing to increase their professional services portfolio:
- Small to Medium size businesses in the retail market who sell and service Digital equipment
- Independent Electricians/Plumbers/TV and Aerial Installers
What Next?
To register your interest call Darren Quinn on 0207 294 2604 or email: darren.quinn@cityandguilds.com for further information.
Useful links:
http://certification.comptia.org/dhti/about.aspx
www.digitaluk.co.uk