Occupational Summary
A Level 3 apprenticeship as a network cable installer prepares an apprentice—also employed as a communications infrastructure technician, structured cabling installer, or telecoms cable installer—to install, terminate, test and certify copper and fibre optic network cabling and associated infrastructure to national and international industry standards. Apprentices work on inside plant (within buildings such as offices, hospitals and data centres) and outside plant (between buildings, across cities and countries), supporting computers, servers, security equipment, wireless access points, access control and building management systems. Duties include interpreting customer requirements, handling and moving physical equipment, following health and safety requirements and applying cyber security principles to maintain confidentiality, integrity and availability of data. Project scale ranges from a single outlet to thousands of outlets or from a single fibre termination to hundreds of fibres over many kilometres.
The programme comprises 40 knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs), typically lasts 15 months and has a maximum funding band of £11,000. End-point assessment is by practical demonstration and questions, and a professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence.
View official Skills England source text
The role of the network cable installer is to install, terminate, test and certify network cable infrastructure components in accordance with national and international industry standards. This network infrastructure will provide the communications backbone for the digital infrastructure ecosystem, enabling all types of digital devices to communicate between each other, internally, nationally and globally.  These include computers, servers, smart devices, security equipment, wireless access points, access control, building management systems and lighting systems. They can i nstall copper cables, which are widely used to inter-connect communicating devices such as computers, scanners and printers to servers within office buildings, industrial buildings, hospitals, and data centres. The apprentice may also utilises fibre optic cables, which are widely used for connecting between floors within buildings. Buildings to buildings and cities to cities, as well as providing the highest speed broadband to homes. Installers work in data sensitive environments and contribute to the organisation’s cyber security strategy by ensuring its physical security. They will also comply with cyber security principles for the maintenance of confidentiality, integrity and availability of data. They can work in the inside plant ISP environment which is dedicated to the installation of cable within buildings and structures, and the outside plant OSP environment, which is dedicated to the installation of cable externally between buildings, cities and countries. The size of the task or project that a network cable installer could be involved in, ranges from a single outlet point in a customer’s premises, to thousands of outlets in a new office block. It could also range from a single fibre cable termination in a building to the installation of hundreds of fibres over many kilometres in local, national and international communities. The role of the installer is physical and often involves lifting and moving heavy equipment. Striving to deliver excellent and consistent levels of customer service is a vital part of the role. Installers work diligently to accurately interpret customer requirements and endeavour to meet high quality standards.
What's in the Delivery Pack?
Every section is tailored specifically to the ST0485 standard, using official KSB data, the published assessment plan, and sector-specific context.
KSB Interpretations
Plain-English interpretation of every Knowledge, Skill and Behaviour
EPA Preparation
End-point assessment readiness, gateway checklist and method guidance
Delivery Risks
Occupation-specific risks, mitigations and early warning signs
Delivery Model Options
Model-selection guide comparing day release, block release and front-loaded approaches
On/Off-the-Job Mapping
Which KSBs are best taught by the provider vs developed in the workplace
Initial Assessment & RPL
Starting points, prior learning recognition and programme adaptation
English, Maths & Digital
Where functional skills embed naturally and standalone qualification guidance
Employer Engagement Guide
Employer commitments, progress reviews and workplace engagement guidance
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Qualifications & Recognition
Professional Recognition
English & Maths
English and maths qualifications must be completed in line with the apprenticeship funding rules .
Typical Job Titles
Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours
Knowledge
20- K1: Design specifications, calculate time factors and documentation including floor plans, patch lists, bills of materials, ...
- K2: Principles associated with the transmission of digital information over copper cable networks. The impact incorrect work...
- K3: Principles associated with the transmission of digital information over fibre cable networks and the impact that your wo...
- K4: Components of a structured cabling infrastructure and the relationship between campus, building and floor distributors, ...
- K5: Test parameters for copper and fibre cable certification in accordance with industry standards such as BSEN 50346- infor...
- + 15 more items
Skills
16- S1: Install copper cabling components for Local Area Networking (LAN). Carry out maintenance tasks on copper cable networks....
- S2: Install fibre optic cabling components for Local Area Networking LAN and Wide Area Network WAN infrastructure. Identify,...
- S3: Conduct testing on copper cabling in accordance with equipment manufacturer's procedures, compliant to industry standard...
- S4: Carry out testing of fibre optic cabling using an optical loss test set, Tier 1 and fibre inspection tool in accordance ...
- S5: Analyse copper and fibre test results and provides certification to the customer.
- + 11 more items
Behaviours
4- B1: Works professionally, taking initiative and acting with an ethical approach.
- B2: Prioritise the safety of self and others.
- B3: Self-motivated and able to work alone or as part of a team. The ability to work with colleagues whilst contributing to a...
- B4: Be organised and apply effective time management to meet deadlines.
Duties (12)
Install cables to inter-connect communicating devices such as computers, scanners and printers to servers.
Interpret detailed project plans to construct and fix network equipment cabinets. Prepare cable pathways and install cable support and containment systems.
Install network equipment in cabinets, in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications including routers, switches, power over ethernet , internet of things , wi-fi, smart buildings and wide area network equipment.
Undertake performance-based testing and provision of certification to the customer. During the lifespan of the network, carry out maintenance where faults have occurred.
Exercise responsibility for the safety of themselves as well as anybody in the local area who could be affected by their actions. Takes responsibility to keep area clean and tidy to minimise risks to themselves and other.
Exercise responsibility for the care and maintenance of a wide range of specialist tools, ensuring that equipment is serviceable and always in calibration.
Use a wide variety of both hand and power tools.
Use workforce management systems for a range of workflow activities as well as personal time and attendance tracking.
Conduct work in an environmentally safe manner, minimising and recycling waste correctly in accordance with company policies.
Consider emerging technologies effects on media selection, installation practices and additional testing requirements.
Comply with cyber security principles for the maintenance of confidentiality, integrity and availability of data.
Deliver high quality and consistent levels of customer service. Work diligently to accurately interpret customer requirements and endeavour to meet high quality standards.
End-Point Assessment
Assessment Plan
Type: HTML
Version & Source
- Version
- 1.2
- Occupational standard, end-point assessment plan and funding band revised
- Last changed
- 17 Jul 2024
- Earliest start
- 15 Aug 2024
- Approved for delivery
- 23 Apr 2019
- EQA Provider
- Ofqual
- Sector Subject Area
- 4.1 Engineering
- Trailblazer
- TB0148
- Last checked
- 11 Mar 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What knowledge, skills and behaviours are in the ST0485 standard?▼
The Network cable installer apprenticeship has 20 knowledge items, 16 skills, and 4 behaviours that apprentices must demonstrate.
How long is the Network cable installer apprenticeship?▼
The typical duration is 15 months, with a maximum funding band of £11,000.
What does a delivery guide for ST0485 include?▼
The KSB Planner delivery guide includes plain-English KSB interpretations, EPA preparation guidance, delivery risk analysis, on/off-the-job mapping, employer engagement strategies, and more — all tailored to ST0485.
Data sourced from Skills England. KSB Planner delivery guides are an interpretation and planning aid based on official published source material — not an official regulator-issued document.