...development operations in South Sudan, the international satellite industry, in co-ordination with RCS-Communication—a locally licensed VSAT and Internet Service Provider—is equipping young ICT professionals with the skills needed to optimize the deployment and maintenance of satellite systems throughout the world’s newest nation.

RCS-Communication, an associated member of the Global VSAT Forum (GVF), the international non-profit association of the satellite communications industry, hosted the 1st GVF Training and Certification Program in South Sudan. A GVF Examiner from the region provided the Hands On Skills Test (HOST) required to complete certification of the first group of 18 RCS-employed technicians, who qualified to participate after completing the relevant online courses. During the next phase, two members of the group will be certified as GVF Examiners, qualifying them to present GVF training and oversee the certification process.

GVF’s VSAT Installation & Maintenance Training Course is delivered via a combination of online, interactive training modules developed by GVF’s partner, SatProf, Inc., and Examiner-led Hands On Skills Tests. In addition to the online training portal at http://www.gvf.org/training, the program is supported by GVF Regional Training Centres located in every major region of the world. The GVF VSAT Installer Training Course materials include a 140-page manual that provides VSAT installers with a set of industry “Best Practices”. These were established through consensus of the GVF Education & Training Working Group members, which is comprised of volunteer experts from throughout the satellite communications sector.