However, the technologies used in these two market sectors, long haul and short haul, have tended to be fundamentally different. For long haul infrastructures, singlemode technology using, in some cases, wavelength division multiplexing, has been adopted whereas for the short haul LAN market single wavelength multimode technology has dominated. The minimum standards for installation practice were also included in this document. The advent of the new millennium is seeing a change in optical fibre technology for the LAN environment. Knowledge can be described as the proven theoretical understanding necessary to undertake a particular task.
Skills are the practical ability to undertake a specific task in a defined environment.
Occupational competence may be considered to be the proven and current practical ability to undertake that task in the working environment. The attainment of knowledge and the acquisition of skills do not automatically assure competence - however competence cannot be developed or maintained without the basic, or underpinning, knowledge and skills being in place. There are many ways in which to demonstrate the attainment of knowledge. There are many training courses in the field of fibre optics and some of them have certificates of satisfactory completion based upon examination of the knowledge gained. The mastery of skills may also be assessed and certified by use of practical assessment exercises.