INTRODUCTION

Telecommunications is communication over a distance by circuits using satellite, cable, fibre optics, telegraph, telephone, telex, radio or TV. As our country advances into the new millennium, an effective and efficient telecommunications system is vital if we want to keep up with other developed countries around the world.

It is without doubt that presently and in years to come, more and more job opportunities will be available to job seekers who have the necessary qualifications and skills.

JOB DESCRIPTION
Jobs in the telecommunications field include:

(a) Electrical Engineer
- Plans, designs and supervises the manufacture, installation, testing, operation and maintenance of various types of electrical machinery, equipment and wiring.
- Directs repairs and maintenance of electrical apparatus and equipment.

(b) Telecommunications Engineer
- Designs and supervises the construction, installation, testing, operation and maintenance of telegraph, telephone and telex systems, radio, radar, special microwave and other telecommunications instruments.
- Surveys areas for installation of telegraph and telephone equipment.
- Prepares plans and drawings with the necessary details.
- Installs suitable teleprinters, signalling equipment transmitters, radio receivers and other related equipment.
- Supervises laying of overhead and underground cables.
- Conducts periodical checks of stations and units and attends to breakdowns to remove faults in telephone and telegraph systems.
- May specialise in designing and maintaining special equipment for telegraph, telephone, teleprinting or radio broadcasting systems.

(c) Radio and Television Engineer
- Plans, designs, installs, maintains and repairs equipment utilised in radio and television broadcasting, transmission and reception.
- Plans layout of transmission and reception's equipment.
- Prepares sketches, drawings or wiring diagrams and specifies methods of construction, materials to be used and other pertinent details.
- Estimates labour, materials and other construction and installation costs.
- Inspects completed work to ensure compliance with specifications and safety standards.
- Maintains frequencies of wavelengths transmitted within the prescribed limits.
- Maintains communication with ships at sea or aircrafts in flight and on land.
- Deciphers code messages received through wireless or other means.

(d) Telephone Operator
- Operates telephone switchboards in establishments.
- Connects outgoing calls and relays incoming calls by completing circuits with cords or switches.
- Takes messages on behalf of absent persons and deals with enquiries.
- Reports faults to superiors.


(e) Telegraph Clerk
- Operates telegraphic equipment, sends messages in codes and interprets messages received.
- Operates electronically controlled keyboard to transmit messages in typescript and receives incoming messages.
- Processes messages according to international regulations and codes.
- Checks messages for accuracy.
- Keeps records of messages sent.

(f) Radio-Telephone Operator
- Operates land-based radio-telephone equipment to transmit or receive messages from ships, aircrafts, vehicles and other installations.
- Turns dials to obtain the required frequency and volume for transmission.
- Establishes contacts with required stations or acknowledges incoming calls.
- ransmits and receives messages in ordinary languages or in codes.
- May type and transmit messages using teleprinters.
- May operate telephone switchboards.

(g) Radio Officer
- Operates radio-telephone and telegraphic equipment on board ships.
- Transmits messages through radio-telephone and telegraphic equipment.
- Receives and records incoming messages including navigational data by radio.
- Keeps a log of messages sent and received.
- Makes minor repairs to radio equipment.
- May maintain radar equipment.

(h) Teleprinter Typist
- Transmits and receives telegraphic messages to and from outside stations by operating teleprinter and teletype machines.
- Starts teleprinter and teletype machines and establishes electrical connections with other teleprinters.
- Places messages, reports or news items to be transmitted on machine's holding device and types them using the teleprinter's operating keyboard.
- Observes incoming messages being typed automatically on paper to detect mistakes and tears off paper when message is completed.
- Rectifies mistakes by typing requests for clarification.
- Sorts out typed messages and delivers them.
- Maintains records of time of messages received, number of messages received and number of breakdowns and repairs to machines