Alaska Vocational Technical Center

Welcome to the Information Technology program. The growing need for Information Technology (IT) professionals translates into real opportunities for anyone interested in entering the IT industry, someone looking to change their current employment situation, or a person starting a second career. If taking advantage of these opportunities has seemed out of your reach, you should check out this intensive 38 week program.
A study by CompTIA, the Computing Technology Industry Association, found that despite the current economic downturn in the United States and its effect on the information technology industry, the need for skilled and certified IT specialists is as pressing as ever. The average number of open IT service and support positions has more than tripled since 1999. What makes the AVTEC Information Technology program different from most other IT programs is the amount of hands-on experience a student is provided. A significant amount of the program time is spent working on production equipment in production networks either on campus or interning with cooperating IT organizations. This leads to a graduate who is competent, confident and employable. The hands-on learning approach is even carried into the classroom. Early in the program, students assemble and configure their own PC, gaining a solid conceptual knowledge of the personal computer. This computer is then utilized in later lab exercises as the student learns to configure, upgrade, and troubleshoot PC’s and local area networks. While studying networks, students wire actual networks, build working servers and configure Cisco switches and routers. Course material will be presented through a combination of online curriculum, classroom presentation and laboratory exercises. The PC Support Technician coursework prepares students for employment servicing and supporting PC’s and to take the Comp TIA A+ Certification Exams. This certification is the computer industry standard that ensures the competency of computer service technicians. The Network Support Technician coursework prepares students for employment supporting, administering and designing networks. These courses also prepare a student for Microsoft MCSA certification, the Cisco CCENT certification, the Cisco CCNA certification, and the CompTIA Net+ certification.
Earn University of Alaska Credit While Attending AVTEC Information Technology graduates may earn up to 32 University of Alaska college credits (depending on coursework completed) while attending AVTEC.

Required Courses

For descriptions of each required course and any prerequisites, click on the individual course link below. Students enrolling with existing certifications (A+, Network+, CCENT) and demonstrating proficiency in PC Support Technician skills may receive credit for previous training to shorten the program length.

Occupational Levels

Occupational levels will be assigned upon successful completion of the training program based on the student’s proficiency of the program’s competencies. Occupational levels are PC/Network Support Technician for students successfully completing both semesters, PC Support Technician for students who successfully complete the first semester only, and Network Support Technician for those students who successfully complete the second semester only.

Industry Certifications

The field of information technology (IT) covers all aspects of managing and processing information. IT professionals design, develop, support, and manage computer software, hardware, and networks. In addition to the Information Technology certificate, students can also prepare for and earn the following industry certifications:

Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT)
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
CompTIA's A+ and Net+ certification

IT 101 PC Fundamental Technologies (Prerequisite: None)
Personal Computer Fundamental Technologies is the first in a series of courses that make up the AVTEC Information Technology program curriculum.  The purpose of this course is to give the student an introduction to personal computer theory, configuration and repair.  This course provides the foundation for the advanced courses that follow by helping the student develop the fundamental knowledge, skills and customer relation skills required of a PC/LAN Support Technician.  Knowledge of basic computer hardware and operating systems, covering skills such as installing, building, upgrading, repairing, configuring, troubleshooting, optimizing, diagnosing and preventive maintenance, with additional elements of soft skills and security are covered.  This course presents much of the typical information covered on the CompTIA A+ Essentials Certification Test module.
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IT 103 PC Advanced Support (Prerequisite: IT 101)
PC Advanced Support is designed to prepare computer support technicians with the ability to perform tasks such as installation, building, repairing, configuration, troubleshooting, optimizing, diagnosing and preventive maintenance on an advanced level in the context of the field service or enterprise environment employing the customer relation skills required of a PC/LAN Support Technician. This course presents the typical information covered on the CompTIA A+ 602 Technician Certification Examination.
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IT 105 Networking for Home and Small Business (Prerequisite: IT 103)
Networking for Home and Small Business is the first of five courses leading to the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification that introduces students to the networking field. It provides the skills needed to obtain entry-level home network installer jobs. It also helps students develop some of the skills needed to become network technicians, computer technicians, cable installers, and help desk technicians. It provides a hands-on introduction to networking and the Internet using tools and hardware commonly found in home and small business environments. Covered are PC installation, Internet connectivity, wireless connectivity, file and print sharing, and the installation of scanners and cameras. This course helps students prepare for the Cisco CCENT certification. The student will also present in class a research project on a subject relevant to the IT program.
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IT 107 Working at a Small-to-Medium Business or ISP (Prerequisite: IT 105)
Working at a Small-to-Medium Business or ISP is the second of the five courses leading to the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification. It prepares students for jobs as network technicians. It also helps students develop additional skills required for computer technicians and help desk technicians. It provides a basic overview of routing and remote access, addressing, and security. It also familiarizes students with servers that provide e-mail services, Web space, and authenticated access. Students also learn about soft skills required for help desk and customer service positions. Covered are router and switch setup and security including NAT, DHCP, DNS, routing protocols, access control lists, port filtering and use of software tools. This course, together with IT 105, helps students prepare for the Cisco CCENT certification.
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IT 110 PC Service & Support Work Experience (Prerequisite: IT 103)
PC Service & Support Lab is the capstone course in the PC Support segment of the PC/LAN Support program curriculum. The purpose of this course is to give the student thirty hours of technical support time to apply the skills learned in previous IT courses in actual service and support situations.  Students perform work specified in work orders to configure, maintain, and repair personal computers.  Customer relation skills will be demonstrated in this course as the student responds to requests for hardware and operating support from computer users. 
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IT 202 Routing Protocols and Concepts  (Prerequisite: IT 107)
CCNA 2: Routers and Routing Basics is the third of five CCNA courses leading to the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) designation. The focus of this course is upon the architecture, components, operation of routers, and the principles of routing and routing protocols. Students analyze, configure, verify, and troubleshoot the primary routing protocols RIPv1, RIPv2, EIGRP, and OSPF. Students will be able to recognize and correct common routing issues and problems.
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IT 203 LAN Switching and Wireless (Pre-requisite: IT 202)
CCNA3: Switching Basics and Intermediate Routing is the fourth of five courses leading to the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) designation. This course provides a comprehensive, theoretical, and practical approach to learning the technologies and protocols needed to design and implement a converged switched network. Students learn about the hierarchical network design model and how to select devices for each layer. They learn how to configure a switch for basic functionality and how to implement Virtual LANs, VTP, and Inter-VLAN routing in a converged network. They learn the different implementations of Spanning Tree Protocol in a converged network, and they develop the knowledge and skills necessary to implement a WWLAN in a small to medium network.
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IT 204 Assessing the WAN (Prerequisite: IT 203)
CCNA 4: WAN Technologies is the last of five courses leading to the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) designation. Students learn the WAN technologies and network services required by converged applications in Enterprise Networks. Students learn how to implement and configure common data link protocols and how to apply WAN security concepts, principles of traffic, access control and addressing services. Finally, students learn how to detect, troubleshoot, and correct common enterprise network implementation issues. In addition, the student will prepare for taking the CCNA Exam.
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IT 214 Implementing a Microsoft Windows Network (Prerequisite: IT 215)
This course provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to install and configure Microsoft Windows Operating Systems on stand-alone and client computers that are part of a workgroup or domain. In addition, this course provides the skills and knowledge necessary to install and configure Windows Server to create file, print, Web, and Terminal servers. It also provides students with the prerequisite knowledge and skills required for the corresponding Microsoft Certification exams.
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IT 215 Managing a Microsoft Windows Network (Prerequisite: IT 204)
The goal of this course is to provide the knowledge required by system administrators, network administrators, and IT professionals who implement, manage, and troubleshoot existing network and server environments based on the Microsoft® Windows operating system. These skills are generally required in medium to large organizations that maintain 200 to 26,000 user desktops and servers, spanning two to 100 physical locations by using local area networks (LANs) and the Internet or intranets. Additionally, this course provides the skills and knowledge necessary to prepare for the corresponding Microsoft Certified Professional Exam.
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IT 210 Industry Externship (Prerequisite: IT 214)
During the Industry Externship the student will work in an IT position with a cooperating employer. Learning objectives are established which provide an opportunity for the student to apply the skills learned in previous courses. This course may also be completed by the student completing an approved capstone project.
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CON Communication (Prerequisite: None)
Workplace communications training helps students improve skills and build self-confidence. Student’s class hours are spent learning methods of communicating effectively in various situations such as in a team, with supervisors or with difficult coworkers.
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CON Job Search and Interview Skills (Prerequisite: None)
Job Search Class is designed to help students refine career goals, find job openings, complete job applications and develop resumes.  Techniques in using the telephone to get employment information, and how to set up interviews are also covered. Interview Training provides students with videotaped practice interviews, and concludes with a simulated interview conducted by employers in the community who volunteer their time to support AVTEC in developing a well-trained work force.
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Mission:
To prepare students with the support and service skills necessary to keep modern computers, computer networks, and their users operating smoothly.

Length of Course: 1,128 clock hours, 188 training days
Enrollment: Mid August
Training Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Certificate Level: Information Technology

Prerequisites:
Students must test at a 12th grade reading level prior to acceptance in the program. Students should also have basic keyboarding skills and be competent using a personal computer.  Contact the Admissions Office for details on testing.  A PC Support Technician Certificate is required for enrollment in the Network Support Technician Classes.  AVTEC will also accept A+ Certification in addition to either Network+ or CCENT Certification for enrollment in the Network Support Technician Classes.  Students should also have good study habits and communication/interpersonal skills.

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