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Transcript: Network Cabling Specialist
A child says, WEE!
T.V.O. Kids and Riverbank Pictures Original.
[Child giggles, upbeat music plays, popping]
Text reads, “T.V.O. Kids presents.”
[Energetic music plays]
Akeylah and Brody stand in front of a screen showing a sparking blowtorch. Akeylah wears a dark grey tunic, and her short black hair is tightly braided. Brody’s dark brown hair is short, and he wears a light brown shirt and grey pants.
Akeylah and Brody say, WELCOME TO TRADING SKILLS!
Akeylah says, THE SHOW WHERE WE TAKE TURNS TRYING A SKILLED TRADE. I'M AKEYLAH.
Brody says, AND I'M BRODY.
Video footage shows a welder and a mechanic.
Akeylah says, A SKILLED TRADE IS A JOB THAT REQUIRES A SPECIAL SKILL.
Akeylah and Brody say, THERE ARE LOTS OF SKILL TRADES.
Brody says, AND YOU MIGHT FIND THE PERFECT TRADE FOR YOU.
Akeylah says, MAYBE THERE'S A TRADE THAT COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
[Whooshing]
Brody says, SO COME WITH US INTO THE TRADES ON TRADING SKILLS.
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
In the skill space, Akeylah and Brody pace by a laptop computer on their work table.
Akeylah says, WE'RE A LITTLE STRESSED.
Brody says, OUR INTERNET HAS BEEN OUT FOR DAYS.
Akeylah says, AND WE CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.
Brody says, NOW IT'S USUALLY ABOUT THE TIME WHERE WE FIND A SOLUTION TO OUR PROBLEM, THANKS TO A SKILLED TRADE.
Akeylah says, BUT WE CAN'T DO THAT BECAUSE...
Both say, OUR INTERNET IS DOWN! ANNA!
[Whooshing]
Anna enters the room behind Akeylah.
Anna says, HEY, PALS, EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE OKAY. I KNOW OF A SKILLED TRADE CALLED THE NETWORK CABLING SPECIALIST. THEY INSTALL, TEST, AND MAINTAIN NETWORKS USING DIFFERENT CABLES. MY FRIEND, MICHAEL, CAN HELP GET YOU BACK ON THE INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY.
[Whooshing, upbeat music continues]
In a video clip, the network cabling specialist Michael Mukupa holds a thick cable. He has a black beard and moustache and wears a hard hat and safety glasses.
Akeylah says, WHEW. BRODY, YOU MAN THE FORT.
Brody types on the computer.
Brody says, HOW TO MAN THE FORT? OH.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
Akeylah walks across a parking lot towards a large two-storey building.
Akeylah narrates, I ARRIVED AT I.B.E.W., A TRAINING CENTER IN FRESLAW, ONTARIO.
Akeylah meets Michael in a hallway.
Akeylah says, HI, MICHAEL.
Michael says, HEY, AKEYLAH.
Akeylah asks, OK, SO WHAT EXACTLY DOES A NETWORK CABLING SPECIALIST DO?
Michael replies, A NETWORK CABLING SPECIALIST INSTALLS, MAINTAINS, TESTS, AND TROUBLESHOOTS CABLES IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF BUILDINGS, BRINGING THE INTERNET AND CONNECT DIFFERENT DEVICES LIKE CAMERAS, PRINTERS, COMPUTERS. BASICALLY, WE MAKE SURE EVERYONE'S CONNECTED.
Akeylah says, I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT STAYING CONNECTED CAN BE.
Michael says, FOLLOW ME TO THE BRAINS OF THE NETWORK.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
Michael leads Akeylah to a large metal unit with wires, cables, and a server.
Michael says, OK, SO HERE'S THE TELECOM ROOM, AKEYLAH. THIS IS THE BRAINS OF THE NETWORK.
Akeylah says, COOL.
Michael says, THIS IS WHAT CONNECTS EVERYTHING IN THE OFFICE SPACE.
[Whooshing, popping]
Michael points to a thick orange tube, a fiber panel, and a server.
He says, SO RIGHT HERE, THAT'S WHERE OUR FIBER OPTIC COMES IN. THAT BRINGS IN THE INTERNET TO THE BUILDING, BRINGS IT DOWN TO THE FIBER PANEL. THIS IS WHERE WE SPLICE THE FIBER WHEN IT COMES INTO THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ROOM. DOWN HERE, WE HAVE THE SERVER. THIS IS WHERE ALL THE INFORMATION IS STORED, THAT IS USED ON PEOPLE'S COMPUTERS. AND THEN WE HAVE THE PATCH PANEL OVER HERE, WHICH IS WHAT CONNECTS EVERYTHING AROUND THE OFFICE, LIKE TELEPHONES, WI-FI, AND COMPUTERS.
Akeylah says, IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S A LOT GOING ON HERE. IS THERE ANY REASON WHY IT WOULDN'T BE WORKING AND THE INTERNET WOULD GO DOWN?
Michael says, ABSOLUTELY. ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES WE HAVE IN THE TELECOM ROOM IS DIRTY FIBER. SO, FIBER OPTICS COULD GET DUST ON THEM. WE ALWAYS WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS PANEL IS VERY CLEAN. PLUS, SOMETIMES WE GET DAMAGED WITH THE COPPER WIRES. A LOT OF THINGS COULD HAPPEN TO THEM. ONE OF THE MOST COMMON ONES IS RODENTS, EATING THEM UP IN THE CEILING.
Akeylah says, RODENTS LIKE RATS?
Michael says, ABSOLUTELY.
[Horror horn plays]
Akeylah looks wide-eyed and grits her teeth.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
In a large two-storey training space, Akeylah and Michael approach a table. They wear hard hats, safety glasses, and gloves. Behind them, other people work in training spaces separated by wooden walls.
Akeylah narrates, WE WENT TO THE TRAINING SPACE TO TRAIN OUR THOUGHTS ON FIXING COPPER WIRE.
Michael says, TODAY, I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU HOW TO TERMINATE.
[Dramatic music notes play]
Akeylah says, TERMINATE?
[Upbeat music plays]
Michael says, NOT THAT TYPE OF TERMINATE. TERMINATE MEANS, CONNECTING THE CABLE WITH TWO CONNECTORS ON EACH END SO WE CAN PLUG ONE SIDE INTO A TERMINAL AND THE OTHER SIDE INTO A DEVICE, LIKE A CAMERA OR COMPUTER.
Akeylah says, GOTCHA. LET'S TERMINATE.
[Rattling]
Michael opens a toolbox with jacks and other small equipment.
Michael says, SO, THIS IS A JACK. WE'RE GOING TO PUT ON ONE END OF THE CABLE AND THIS IS A COOL STUFF. THIS IS A TERMINATION TOOL.
[Popping]
Michael shows Akeylah the termination tool.
Akeylah says, AH, THE COOL THING. WE'RE GOING TO USE A CABLE STRIPPER. POKE THAT THROUGH THERE FOR ME.
Akeylah puts the end of a cable through a round opening in the cable stripper.
Akeylah asks, LIKE THAT?
Michael says, JUST LIKE THAT. PUT YOUR FINGER IN THAT HOLE AND JUST SPIN IT AROUND ONCE.
Akeylah spins the cable stripper around the cable.
Michael says, I’M GONNA PUSH THIS IN AND SLIDE IT OUT, JUST PULL THAT OFF. HOLD IT REAL TIGHT, AND THERE YOU GO.
Akeylah pulls the cable cover off the wires.
Akeylah says, OOH, IT'S SO COLOURFUL. WHAT DO ALL THE COLOURS MEAN?
Michael says, SO, THE COLOURS ARE JUST A WAY THAT WE CAN TELL THE PAIRS APART AND HELP US CONNECT THE CABLE TO THE JACK. AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE JACK, WE ALSO HAVE COLOURS THAT CORRESPOND TO THESE COLOURS ON THE CABLE.
Akeylah says, OH, MAKES SENSE.
Michael says, I'M GONNA SLIDE THE PAIR SEPARATOR OVER THE CABLES, SLIDE IT ALL THE WAY DOWN. I'LL HAVE YOU ALIGN THE BLUE WITH THAT BLUE IN THE CORNER AND THEN JUST CLICK IT IN.
[Clicking]
Akeylah pushes the jack into place.
Michael says, PERFECT. SO, NOW WE'RE JUST GOING TO PLACE THE CABLES IN THEIR RESPECTIVE SLOTS SO WE CAN TERMINATE THEM. START WITH THE BLUE, THE GREEN, AND NOW THE FUN PART.
Michael picks up the termination tool.
Akeylah says, THE COOL TOOL.
Michael says, PLACE THE JACK IN THERE LIKE THAT TO MATCH IT. SQUEEZE THE HANDLES.
[Clicking]
Akeylah squeezes the termination tool handle together.
Michael says, PERFECT. YOU JUST TERMINATED YOUR FIRST CABLE.
Akeylah says, AWESOME.
Michael says, OKAY, TERMINATOR. TIME TO TEST YOUR CABLE. SO, WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS A FLUKE VERSIV CERTIFIER.
The Fluke Versiv Certifier consists of two devices that are side by side on a table. One has a screen, and buttons labelled “Home” and “Test.” The second device has six unlit lights and buttons that read, “Talk” and “Test.”
Akeylah asks, WHAT'S IT CERTIFYING?
Michael says, IT'S GOING TO CERTIFY THE CABLE. IT'S GOING TO MAKE SURE ALL THE CABLES ARE WIRED CORRECTLY. WE'RE GOING TO GET TWO PERMANENT LINK ADAPTERS. SO, I'LL HAVE YOU PLUG YOUR JACK INTO ONE END, AND I'LL PLUG MY JACK INTO THE OTHER END.
[Beeping, upbeat music continues]
Akeylah plugs her jack into an adapter.
Akeylah says, NOW GET THE PLUG.
Michael says, OKAY AKEYLAH, HERE'S A MOMENT OF TRUTH. HIT THAT TEST BUTTON.
Akeylah presses the button and watches the screen.
Akeylah says, GOING ALMOST.
[Chiming]
Akeylah says, PASS! YES!
Michael says, YOU DID IT!
[Hands slapping]
They high-five.
Akeylah says, DON'T WORRY BRODY, YOU'LL BE BACK WATCHING YOUR CAT MEMES IN NO TIME.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Gentle music plays, background chatter]
Outside, Akeylah and Michael sit at a picnic table.
Akeylah narrates, WE PRESSED PAUSE ON OUR CABLING SO I COULD FIND OUT HOW MICHAEL GOT PLUGGED INTO HIS TRADE.
Michael says, GROWING UP, I WAS VERY INTERESTED IN HOW THINGS WORK AND WHEN I CAME HERE TO CANADA, I FOUND OUT THAT THE I.B.E.W. OFFERS MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF ELECTRICAL PROGRAMS AND N.C.S. APPRENTICESHIP WAS ONE OF THEM. SO, FOR ME, IT WAS A NO-BRAINER.
Akeylah asks, WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR TRADE?
Michael replies, I LOVE THE WHOLE MENTORSHIP ASPECT OF IT. YOU KNOW LIKE TRANSFERRING SKILLS FROM ONE GENERATION TO ANOTHER. BEING ABLE TO PASS ON MY SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE AND LEARNING FROM OTHERS THAT HAVE COME BEFORE ME.
Akeylah asks, WHY DO YOU THINK MORE YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD GET INTO NETWORK CABLING?
Michael says, NETWORK CABLING IS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING TRADES. IT IS A TRADE OF THE FUTURE. THERE'S SO MUCH TECHNOLOGY THAT WILL BE COMING OUT IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
Akeylah asks, HOW DOES AN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM WORK?
Michael replies, BASICALLY, WORKING WHILE YOU EARN ON CONSTRUCTION SITES OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF SITE. AND THEN ALSO YOU GET A COUPLE OF BLOCKS OF TRADE SCHOOL IN BETWEEN. ONCE YOU'VE DONE YOUR APPRENTICESHIP, YOU'RE ABLE TO SIT DOWN FOR A MINISTRY ADMINISTERED EXAM, AND AT THAT POINT, YOU'RE A LICENSED NETWORK CABLING SPECIALIST.
Akeylah says, WELL, MICHAEL, IT'S BEEN NICE CONNECTING WITH THIS BEAUTIFUL PATIO BUT I THINK IT'S TIME WE GET BACK TO WORK.
[Upbeat music plays]
Akeylah and Michael pick up their hard hats and enter the building. They approach a panel on a wall.
Akeylah narrates, I WAS GETTING CLOSE TO UNDERSTANDING THE WHY OF MY WIFI PROBLEMS AND THE OPTICS OF THIS NEXT ACTIVITY HELPED.
Michael says, LET ME SHOW YOU A DIFFERENT TYPE OF CABLE THAT INTERNET CAN RUN THROUGH.
[Clanking]
Michael takes the cover off a metal box on the wall.
Michael says, THESE ARE FIBER OPTIC CABLES. FIBER OPTIC CABLES ARE MADE OUT OF GLASS, AND THEY USE LIGHT TO TRANSMIT SIGNAL FROM ONE POINT TO ANOTHER.
Akeylah says, LIGHT?
[Explosion sound effect plays]
Akeylah uses her hands to indicate an explosion around her head.
Michael says, YES, FIBER OPTIC TRAVELS AT LIGHT SPEED WHICH IS WAY FASTER THAN COPPER.
Akeylah asks, SO HOW DO WE FIX A BROKEN FIBER OPTIC CABLE?
Michael says, WE FUSE IT BACK TOGETHER WITH A FUSION SPLICER.
Akeylah says, OOH.
Akeylah rubs her hands together and approaches the fusion splicer.
Michael says, SO TODAY, WE'RE GOING TO FUSE THESE TWO FIBER TOGETHER. WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE COLOUR?
Akeylah says, GREEN.
Michael says, GREEN IT IS. SO, WE'RE JUST GOING TO SEPARATE OUT THE GREEN STRAND FROM EACH SIDE.
Michael and Akeylah each pick up a green cable.
Michael explains, INSIDE THE FUSION SPLICER WE HAVE TWO HOLDERS. ONE FOR EACH FIBER THAT WE'RE GOING TO PLACE IN.
[Whooshing, popping]
An arrow points to one of the cable holders in the fusion splicer. Another arrow points to the electrode rods between the two cable holders.
Michael says, AND IN THE MIDDLE, THERE ARE TWO RODS THAT PRODUCE THE ARC THAT'S GOING TO WELD THE GLASS TOGETHER. PRIOR TO PUTTING THE STRANDS IN THE FUSION SPLICER, WE'RE GOING TO PUT IN A PROTECTIVE TUBE.
Akeylah puts the cable in the tube.
Akeylah says, IT'S LIKE A LITTLE SEWING NEEDLE.
Michael says, SLIDE IT ALL THE WAY THROUGH UNTIL IT GOES OVER. SO, WE'RE GOING TO USE THIS FIBER STRIPPER TO PREPARE THE STRAND FOR FUSION SPLICING. AND JUST STRIP.
Michael removes the outer cable from the strand.
Akeylah says, THAT IS REALLY THIN.
Michael says, SO, THIS GETS EVEN THINNER. THAT'S ACTUALLY A COATING OVER THE FIBER. AND NOW I'M GOING TO GO TO THE SMALLEST HOLE ON THE STRIPPER.
Michael removes the coating from the fiber strand.
Akeylah says, WHOA!
Michael says, ABOUT TWO PUMPS OF THE CLEANER AND IT LITERALLY WILL GET SQUEAKY CLEAN.
[Squeaking]
Michael wipes the fiber strand.
Michael asks, CAN YOU HEAR THAT? I'M JUST GOING TO PLACE IT ON ONE SIDE OF THE HOLDER.
[Clicking]
Michael closes the lid on one of the cable holders.
Michael says, OKAY, SO I'M GOING TO PLACE THE OTHER GREEN STRAND ON THE OPPOSITE FIBER HOLDER. NOW YOU CAN CLOSE THE LID, AND WE'RE READY TO SPLICE.
[Clicking, upbeat music continues]
Akeylah closes the fusion splicer.
Michael says, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PUSH THE SET BUTTON.
[Chiming]
Akeylah pushes the button.
Akeylah says, SUCCESS!
Michael says, I'M GONNA DROP MY PROTECTOR INTO THE HEATER. HIT THAT BUTTON.
[Beeping, clicking]
Michael puts a green cable protector into a holder and closes the lid.
They both count, THREE, TWO, ONE, ZERO.
[Beeping]
Michael takes out the cable.
Michael says, IT'S TOASTED. THERE'S OUR PROTECTED SPLICE.
Akeylah says, NICE SPLICE.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
In a supply room, Akeylah holds tangled cables.
Akeylah says, WHILE MIKE IS CHECKING ON A CONDUCTIVITY ISSUE, I'VE BEEN GIVEN THE JOB OF CABLE UNTANGLER. PROBLEM IS, THE MORE I UNTANGLE, THE MORE TANGLED I BECOME. WHILE I STRAIGHTEN THIS OUT, LET'S UNRAVEL THE HISTORY OF NETWORK CABLING.
[Whooshing, cheerful music plays]
In a black-and-white video clip, Brody leans over a table and reads a strip of Morse code. He wears a moustache and eyeglasses.
Akeylah narrates, THE FIRST METHOD OF SENDING INFORMATION OVER LONG DISTANCES BY USING ELECTRICITY WAS DEVELOPED BY SAMUEL MORSE, AND IT WAS KNOWN AS MORSE CODE.
In a video clip, Brody pretends to swim and to put cable beneath the ocean.
Akeylah narrates, DURING THE EARLY TWENTIETH CENTURY, CABLES WERE LAID UNDER THE OCEAN, CONNECTING EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA. THIS WAS DIFFICULT, AND THE CABLES HAD TO BE SPECIALLY PROTECTED FROM WATER TO KEEP THEM WORKING.
[Upbeat music plays]
In a video clip, Brody stretches a cable in an office.
Akeylah narrates, IN 1973, BOB METCALF INVENTED ETHERNET, WHICH WAS CHEAPER AND FASTER THAN OTHER NETWORK SYSTEMS. IN 1990, THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO WON A COMPETITION TO BUILD CONNAUGHT WHICH WAS LIKE AN EARLY VERSION OF THE INTERNET.
[Cheering, upbeat music plays]
In a video clip, someone gives Brody a trophy. In the I.B.E.W. training centre, Michael and Akeylah walk through a training workshop.
Michael says, OKAY, AKEYLAH, SO THIS IS ONE OF OUR TRAINING FACILITIES HERE AT THE I.B.E.W. THE I.B.E.W. INVESTS A LOT IN TRAINING THE APPRENTICES. WE TEACH THEM ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT SKILLS IN THIS FACILITY. THIS IS VIC HERE AND COLIN DEMONSTRATING HOW TO PULL CABLE THROUGH A BASKETRY.
Vic feeds cable into a metal basketry overhead.
Michael says, THAT'S ONE OF THE PATHWAYS THAT WE USE IN OFFICE SPACES TO MOVE CABLE FROM ONE POINT TO THE OTHER END. IT'S SUSPENDED ABOVE OUR CEILING, BUT IT CAN ALSO BE OPEN SPACES LIKE ABOVE THIS WORKSHOP.
Akeylah says, COOL. SO, THIS MIGHT BE THE PATH TO GETTING OUR INTERNET BACK.
Vic asks, WANNA GIVE IT A TRY AKEYLAH?
Akeylah says, SURE. UP, UP AND AWAY.
Akeylah pushes the cables up into the basketry.
Vic gives Akeylah a thumbs-up.
Vic says, NICE JOB, AKEYLAH.
Akeylah says, THANKS.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Clicking, upbeat music plays]
In the skills space, Akeylah pushes a cable jack into an opening.
Akeylah says, ALL RIGHT. GIVE IT A TRY NOW.
[Brody typing]
Brody says, IT WORKS! HELLO INTERNET! OH WOW, I'VE MISSED YOU SO.
Akeylah says, SINCE I JACKED INTO THE WORLD OF NETWORK CABLING, I WAS ABLE TO UNTANGLE OUR PROBLEM AND MAKE OUR NETWORK WORK.
Brody says, SCORE! ANOTHER ONE FOR THE TRADES!
Akeylah and Brody imitate throwing a basketball.
Akeylah says, SWISH! BUT HEY, MAYBE YOU COULD PROBLEM SOLVE BY PLUGGING INTO A DIFFERENT SKILLED TRADE.
Brody says, IT MAY JUST BE THE ONE TO TAKE YOU ON A HIGH-SPEED TRIP TO THE TOP.
Both wave and say, BYE!
Akeylah and Brody lean towards the laptop screen.
Brody mutters, WHO ARE THE NEXT ONES?
[Upbeat music plays]
End credits. Hosts: Akeylah James, Brody Agmon. Tradesperson: Michael Mukupa. Written by Johnny Mitchell. Directed by Maria Bui. Produced by Francis Mitchell, Johnny Mitchell, David Mitchell. Co-producers: Emma Fox, Anthony Gullace. Executive producers: Richard Bergmann, Thomas Kritsch. Music by: Joseph Shabason, Christine Bougie. Special thanks to I.B.E.W. 804, Vikas Madan, Dino Celotto, I.B.E.W. 353, I.B.E.W. C.C.0. Produced in association with T.V.O. Kids. Executive producer, T.V.O.: Kirsten Hurd. Production executive, T.V.O.: Austin Guervara Mastretta. Riverbank Pictures. Copyright 2024 Riverbank Pictures.
T.V.O. Kids and Riverbank Pictures Original.
[Child giggles, upbeat music plays, popping]
Text reads, “T.V.O. Kids presents.”
[Energetic music plays]
Akeylah and Brody stand in front of a screen showing a sparking blowtorch. Akeylah wears a dark grey tunic, and her short black hair is tightly braided. Brody’s dark brown hair is short, and he wears a light brown shirt and grey pants.
Akeylah and Brody say, WELCOME TO TRADING SKILLS!
Akeylah says, THE SHOW WHERE WE TAKE TURNS TRYING A SKILLED TRADE. I'M AKEYLAH.
Brody says, AND I'M BRODY.
Video footage shows a welder and a mechanic.
Akeylah says, A SKILLED TRADE IS A JOB THAT REQUIRES A SPECIAL SKILL.
Akeylah and Brody say, THERE ARE LOTS OF SKILL TRADES.
Brody says, AND YOU MIGHT FIND THE PERFECT TRADE FOR YOU.
Akeylah says, MAYBE THERE'S A TRADE THAT COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
[Whooshing]
Brody says, SO COME WITH US INTO THE TRADES ON TRADING SKILLS.
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
In the skill space, Akeylah and Brody pace by a laptop computer on their work table.
Akeylah says, WE'RE A LITTLE STRESSED.
Brody says, OUR INTERNET HAS BEEN OUT FOR DAYS.
Akeylah says, AND WE CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.
Brody says, NOW IT'S USUALLY ABOUT THE TIME WHERE WE FIND A SOLUTION TO OUR PROBLEM, THANKS TO A SKILLED TRADE.
Akeylah says, BUT WE CAN'T DO THAT BECAUSE...
Both say, OUR INTERNET IS DOWN! ANNA!
[Whooshing]
Anna enters the room behind Akeylah.
Anna says, HEY, PALS, EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE OKAY. I KNOW OF A SKILLED TRADE CALLED THE NETWORK CABLING SPECIALIST. THEY INSTALL, TEST, AND MAINTAIN NETWORKS USING DIFFERENT CABLES. MY FRIEND, MICHAEL, CAN HELP GET YOU BACK ON THE INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY.
[Whooshing, upbeat music continues]
In a video clip, the network cabling specialist Michael Mukupa holds a thick cable. He has a black beard and moustache and wears a hard hat and safety glasses.
Akeylah says, WHEW. BRODY, YOU MAN THE FORT.
Brody types on the computer.
Brody says, HOW TO MAN THE FORT? OH.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
Akeylah walks across a parking lot towards a large two-storey building.
Akeylah narrates, I ARRIVED AT I.B.E.W., A TRAINING CENTER IN FRESLAW, ONTARIO.
Akeylah meets Michael in a hallway.
Akeylah says, HI, MICHAEL.
Michael says, HEY, AKEYLAH.
Akeylah asks, OK, SO WHAT EXACTLY DOES A NETWORK CABLING SPECIALIST DO?
Michael replies, A NETWORK CABLING SPECIALIST INSTALLS, MAINTAINS, TESTS, AND TROUBLESHOOTS CABLES IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF BUILDINGS, BRINGING THE INTERNET AND CONNECT DIFFERENT DEVICES LIKE CAMERAS, PRINTERS, COMPUTERS. BASICALLY, WE MAKE SURE EVERYONE'S CONNECTED.
Akeylah says, I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT STAYING CONNECTED CAN BE.
Michael says, FOLLOW ME TO THE BRAINS OF THE NETWORK.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
Michael leads Akeylah to a large metal unit with wires, cables, and a server.
Michael says, OK, SO HERE'S THE TELECOM ROOM, AKEYLAH. THIS IS THE BRAINS OF THE NETWORK.
Akeylah says, COOL.
Michael says, THIS IS WHAT CONNECTS EVERYTHING IN THE OFFICE SPACE.
[Whooshing, popping]
Michael points to a thick orange tube, a fiber panel, and a server.
He says, SO RIGHT HERE, THAT'S WHERE OUR FIBER OPTIC COMES IN. THAT BRINGS IN THE INTERNET TO THE BUILDING, BRINGS IT DOWN TO THE FIBER PANEL. THIS IS WHERE WE SPLICE THE FIBER WHEN IT COMES INTO THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ROOM. DOWN HERE, WE HAVE THE SERVER. THIS IS WHERE ALL THE INFORMATION IS STORED, THAT IS USED ON PEOPLE'S COMPUTERS. AND THEN WE HAVE THE PATCH PANEL OVER HERE, WHICH IS WHAT CONNECTS EVERYTHING AROUND THE OFFICE, LIKE TELEPHONES, WI-FI, AND COMPUTERS.
Akeylah says, IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S A LOT GOING ON HERE. IS THERE ANY REASON WHY IT WOULDN'T BE WORKING AND THE INTERNET WOULD GO DOWN?
Michael says, ABSOLUTELY. ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES WE HAVE IN THE TELECOM ROOM IS DIRTY FIBER. SO, FIBER OPTICS COULD GET DUST ON THEM. WE ALWAYS WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS PANEL IS VERY CLEAN. PLUS, SOMETIMES WE GET DAMAGED WITH THE COPPER WIRES. A LOT OF THINGS COULD HAPPEN TO THEM. ONE OF THE MOST COMMON ONES IS RODENTS, EATING THEM UP IN THE CEILING.
Akeylah says, RODENTS LIKE RATS?
Michael says, ABSOLUTELY.
[Horror horn plays]
Akeylah looks wide-eyed and grits her teeth.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
In a large two-storey training space, Akeylah and Michael approach a table. They wear hard hats, safety glasses, and gloves. Behind them, other people work in training spaces separated by wooden walls.
Akeylah narrates, WE WENT TO THE TRAINING SPACE TO TRAIN OUR THOUGHTS ON FIXING COPPER WIRE.
Michael says, TODAY, I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU HOW TO TERMINATE.
[Dramatic music notes play]
Akeylah says, TERMINATE?
[Upbeat music plays]
Michael says, NOT THAT TYPE OF TERMINATE. TERMINATE MEANS, CONNECTING THE CABLE WITH TWO CONNECTORS ON EACH END SO WE CAN PLUG ONE SIDE INTO A TERMINAL AND THE OTHER SIDE INTO A DEVICE, LIKE A CAMERA OR COMPUTER.
Akeylah says, GOTCHA. LET'S TERMINATE.
[Rattling]
Michael opens a toolbox with jacks and other small equipment.
Michael says, SO, THIS IS A JACK. WE'RE GOING TO PUT ON ONE END OF THE CABLE AND THIS IS A COOL STUFF. THIS IS A TERMINATION TOOL.
[Popping]
Michael shows Akeylah the termination tool.
Akeylah says, AH, THE COOL THING. WE'RE GOING TO USE A CABLE STRIPPER. POKE THAT THROUGH THERE FOR ME.
Akeylah puts the end of a cable through a round opening in the cable stripper.
Akeylah asks, LIKE THAT?
Michael says, JUST LIKE THAT. PUT YOUR FINGER IN THAT HOLE AND JUST SPIN IT AROUND ONCE.
Akeylah spins the cable stripper around the cable.
Michael says, I’M GONNA PUSH THIS IN AND SLIDE IT OUT, JUST PULL THAT OFF. HOLD IT REAL TIGHT, AND THERE YOU GO.
Akeylah pulls the cable cover off the wires.
Akeylah says, OOH, IT'S SO COLOURFUL. WHAT DO ALL THE COLOURS MEAN?
Michael says, SO, THE COLOURS ARE JUST A WAY THAT WE CAN TELL THE PAIRS APART AND HELP US CONNECT THE CABLE TO THE JACK. AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE JACK, WE ALSO HAVE COLOURS THAT CORRESPOND TO THESE COLOURS ON THE CABLE.
Akeylah says, OH, MAKES SENSE.
Michael says, I'M GONNA SLIDE THE PAIR SEPARATOR OVER THE CABLES, SLIDE IT ALL THE WAY DOWN. I'LL HAVE YOU ALIGN THE BLUE WITH THAT BLUE IN THE CORNER AND THEN JUST CLICK IT IN.
[Clicking]
Akeylah pushes the jack into place.
Michael says, PERFECT. SO, NOW WE'RE JUST GOING TO PLACE THE CABLES IN THEIR RESPECTIVE SLOTS SO WE CAN TERMINATE THEM. START WITH THE BLUE, THE GREEN, AND NOW THE FUN PART.
Michael picks up the termination tool.
Akeylah says, THE COOL TOOL.
Michael says, PLACE THE JACK IN THERE LIKE THAT TO MATCH IT. SQUEEZE THE HANDLES.
[Clicking]
Akeylah squeezes the termination tool handle together.
Michael says, PERFECT. YOU JUST TERMINATED YOUR FIRST CABLE.
Akeylah says, AWESOME.
Michael says, OKAY, TERMINATOR. TIME TO TEST YOUR CABLE. SO, WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS A FLUKE VERSIV CERTIFIER.
The Fluke Versiv Certifier consists of two devices that are side by side on a table. One has a screen, and buttons labelled “Home” and “Test.” The second device has six unlit lights and buttons that read, “Talk” and “Test.”
Akeylah asks, WHAT'S IT CERTIFYING?
Michael says, IT'S GOING TO CERTIFY THE CABLE. IT'S GOING TO MAKE SURE ALL THE CABLES ARE WIRED CORRECTLY. WE'RE GOING TO GET TWO PERMANENT LINK ADAPTERS. SO, I'LL HAVE YOU PLUG YOUR JACK INTO ONE END, AND I'LL PLUG MY JACK INTO THE OTHER END.
[Beeping, upbeat music continues]
Akeylah plugs her jack into an adapter.
Akeylah says, NOW GET THE PLUG.
Michael says, OKAY AKEYLAH, HERE'S A MOMENT OF TRUTH. HIT THAT TEST BUTTON.
Akeylah presses the button and watches the screen.
Akeylah says, GOING ALMOST.
[Chiming]
Akeylah says, PASS! YES!
Michael says, YOU DID IT!
[Hands slapping]
They high-five.
Akeylah says, DON'T WORRY BRODY, YOU'LL BE BACK WATCHING YOUR CAT MEMES IN NO TIME.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Gentle music plays, background chatter]
Outside, Akeylah and Michael sit at a picnic table.
Akeylah narrates, WE PRESSED PAUSE ON OUR CABLING SO I COULD FIND OUT HOW MICHAEL GOT PLUGGED INTO HIS TRADE.
Michael says, GROWING UP, I WAS VERY INTERESTED IN HOW THINGS WORK AND WHEN I CAME HERE TO CANADA, I FOUND OUT THAT THE I.B.E.W. OFFERS MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF ELECTRICAL PROGRAMS AND N.C.S. APPRENTICESHIP WAS ONE OF THEM. SO, FOR ME, IT WAS A NO-BRAINER.
Akeylah asks, WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR TRADE?
Michael replies, I LOVE THE WHOLE MENTORSHIP ASPECT OF IT. YOU KNOW LIKE TRANSFERRING SKILLS FROM ONE GENERATION TO ANOTHER. BEING ABLE TO PASS ON MY SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE AND LEARNING FROM OTHERS THAT HAVE COME BEFORE ME.
Akeylah asks, WHY DO YOU THINK MORE YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD GET INTO NETWORK CABLING?
Michael says, NETWORK CABLING IS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING TRADES. IT IS A TRADE OF THE FUTURE. THERE'S SO MUCH TECHNOLOGY THAT WILL BE COMING OUT IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
Akeylah asks, HOW DOES AN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM WORK?
Michael replies, BASICALLY, WORKING WHILE YOU EARN ON CONSTRUCTION SITES OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF SITE. AND THEN ALSO YOU GET A COUPLE OF BLOCKS OF TRADE SCHOOL IN BETWEEN. ONCE YOU'VE DONE YOUR APPRENTICESHIP, YOU'RE ABLE TO SIT DOWN FOR A MINISTRY ADMINISTERED EXAM, AND AT THAT POINT, YOU'RE A LICENSED NETWORK CABLING SPECIALIST.
Akeylah says, WELL, MICHAEL, IT'S BEEN NICE CONNECTING WITH THIS BEAUTIFUL PATIO BUT I THINK IT'S TIME WE GET BACK TO WORK.
[Upbeat music plays]
Akeylah and Michael pick up their hard hats and enter the building. They approach a panel on a wall.
Akeylah narrates, I WAS GETTING CLOSE TO UNDERSTANDING THE WHY OF MY WIFI PROBLEMS AND THE OPTICS OF THIS NEXT ACTIVITY HELPED.
Michael says, LET ME SHOW YOU A DIFFERENT TYPE OF CABLE THAT INTERNET CAN RUN THROUGH.
[Clanking]
Michael takes the cover off a metal box on the wall.
Michael says, THESE ARE FIBER OPTIC CABLES. FIBER OPTIC CABLES ARE MADE OUT OF GLASS, AND THEY USE LIGHT TO TRANSMIT SIGNAL FROM ONE POINT TO ANOTHER.
Akeylah says, LIGHT?
[Explosion sound effect plays]
Akeylah uses her hands to indicate an explosion around her head.
Michael says, YES, FIBER OPTIC TRAVELS AT LIGHT SPEED WHICH IS WAY FASTER THAN COPPER.
Akeylah asks, SO HOW DO WE FIX A BROKEN FIBER OPTIC CABLE?
Michael says, WE FUSE IT BACK TOGETHER WITH A FUSION SPLICER.
Akeylah says, OOH.
Akeylah rubs her hands together and approaches the fusion splicer.
Michael says, SO TODAY, WE'RE GOING TO FUSE THESE TWO FIBER TOGETHER. WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE COLOUR?
Akeylah says, GREEN.
Michael says, GREEN IT IS. SO, WE'RE JUST GOING TO SEPARATE OUT THE GREEN STRAND FROM EACH SIDE.
Michael and Akeylah each pick up a green cable.
Michael explains, INSIDE THE FUSION SPLICER WE HAVE TWO HOLDERS. ONE FOR EACH FIBER THAT WE'RE GOING TO PLACE IN.
[Whooshing, popping]
An arrow points to one of the cable holders in the fusion splicer. Another arrow points to the electrode rods between the two cable holders.
Michael says, AND IN THE MIDDLE, THERE ARE TWO RODS THAT PRODUCE THE ARC THAT'S GOING TO WELD THE GLASS TOGETHER. PRIOR TO PUTTING THE STRANDS IN THE FUSION SPLICER, WE'RE GOING TO PUT IN A PROTECTIVE TUBE.
Akeylah puts the cable in the tube.
Akeylah says, IT'S LIKE A LITTLE SEWING NEEDLE.
Michael says, SLIDE IT ALL THE WAY THROUGH UNTIL IT GOES OVER. SO, WE'RE GOING TO USE THIS FIBER STRIPPER TO PREPARE THE STRAND FOR FUSION SPLICING. AND JUST STRIP.
Michael removes the outer cable from the strand.
Akeylah says, THAT IS REALLY THIN.
Michael says, SO, THIS GETS EVEN THINNER. THAT'S ACTUALLY A COATING OVER THE FIBER. AND NOW I'M GOING TO GO TO THE SMALLEST HOLE ON THE STRIPPER.
Michael removes the coating from the fiber strand.
Akeylah says, WHOA!
Michael says, ABOUT TWO PUMPS OF THE CLEANER AND IT LITERALLY WILL GET SQUEAKY CLEAN.
[Squeaking]
Michael wipes the fiber strand.
Michael asks, CAN YOU HEAR THAT? I'M JUST GOING TO PLACE IT ON ONE SIDE OF THE HOLDER.
[Clicking]
Michael closes the lid on one of the cable holders.
Michael says, OKAY, SO I'M GOING TO PLACE THE OTHER GREEN STRAND ON THE OPPOSITE FIBER HOLDER. NOW YOU CAN CLOSE THE LID, AND WE'RE READY TO SPLICE.
[Clicking, upbeat music continues]
Akeylah closes the fusion splicer.
Michael says, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PUSH THE SET BUTTON.
[Chiming]
Akeylah pushes the button.
Akeylah says, SUCCESS!
Michael says, I'M GONNA DROP MY PROTECTOR INTO THE HEATER. HIT THAT BUTTON.
[Beeping, clicking]
Michael puts a green cable protector into a holder and closes the lid.
They both count, THREE, TWO, ONE, ZERO.
[Beeping]
Michael takes out the cable.
Michael says, IT'S TOASTED. THERE'S OUR PROTECTED SPLICE.
Akeylah says, NICE SPLICE.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
In a supply room, Akeylah holds tangled cables.
Akeylah says, WHILE MIKE IS CHECKING ON A CONDUCTIVITY ISSUE, I'VE BEEN GIVEN THE JOB OF CABLE UNTANGLER. PROBLEM IS, THE MORE I UNTANGLE, THE MORE TANGLED I BECOME. WHILE I STRAIGHTEN THIS OUT, LET'S UNRAVEL THE HISTORY OF NETWORK CABLING.
[Whooshing, cheerful music plays]
In a black-and-white video clip, Brody leans over a table and reads a strip of Morse code. He wears a moustache and eyeglasses.
Akeylah narrates, THE FIRST METHOD OF SENDING INFORMATION OVER LONG DISTANCES BY USING ELECTRICITY WAS DEVELOPED BY SAMUEL MORSE, AND IT WAS KNOWN AS MORSE CODE.
In a video clip, Brody pretends to swim and to put cable beneath the ocean.
Akeylah narrates, DURING THE EARLY TWENTIETH CENTURY, CABLES WERE LAID UNDER THE OCEAN, CONNECTING EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA. THIS WAS DIFFICULT, AND THE CABLES HAD TO BE SPECIALLY PROTECTED FROM WATER TO KEEP THEM WORKING.
[Upbeat music plays]
In a video clip, Brody stretches a cable in an office.
Akeylah narrates, IN 1973, BOB METCALF INVENTED ETHERNET, WHICH WAS CHEAPER AND FASTER THAN OTHER NETWORK SYSTEMS. IN 1990, THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO WON A COMPETITION TO BUILD CONNAUGHT WHICH WAS LIKE AN EARLY VERSION OF THE INTERNET.
[Cheering, upbeat music plays]
In a video clip, someone gives Brody a trophy. In the I.B.E.W. training centre, Michael and Akeylah walk through a training workshop.
Michael says, OKAY, AKEYLAH, SO THIS IS ONE OF OUR TRAINING FACILITIES HERE AT THE I.B.E.W. THE I.B.E.W. INVESTS A LOT IN TRAINING THE APPRENTICES. WE TEACH THEM ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT SKILLS IN THIS FACILITY. THIS IS VIC HERE AND COLIN DEMONSTRATING HOW TO PULL CABLE THROUGH A BASKETRY.
Vic feeds cable into a metal basketry overhead.
Michael says, THAT'S ONE OF THE PATHWAYS THAT WE USE IN OFFICE SPACES TO MOVE CABLE FROM ONE POINT TO THE OTHER END. IT'S SUSPENDED ABOVE OUR CEILING, BUT IT CAN ALSO BE OPEN SPACES LIKE ABOVE THIS WORKSHOP.
Akeylah says, COOL. SO, THIS MIGHT BE THE PATH TO GETTING OUR INTERNET BACK.
Vic asks, WANNA GIVE IT A TRY AKEYLAH?
Akeylah says, SURE. UP, UP AND AWAY.
Akeylah pushes the cables up into the basketry.
Vic gives Akeylah a thumbs-up.
Vic says, NICE JOB, AKEYLAH.
Akeylah says, THANKS.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Clicking, upbeat music plays]
In the skills space, Akeylah pushes a cable jack into an opening.
Akeylah says, ALL RIGHT. GIVE IT A TRY NOW.
[Brody typing]
Brody says, IT WORKS! HELLO INTERNET! OH WOW, I'VE MISSED YOU SO.
Akeylah says, SINCE I JACKED INTO THE WORLD OF NETWORK CABLING, I WAS ABLE TO UNTANGLE OUR PROBLEM AND MAKE OUR NETWORK WORK.
Brody says, SCORE! ANOTHER ONE FOR THE TRADES!
Akeylah and Brody imitate throwing a basketball.
Akeylah says, SWISH! BUT HEY, MAYBE YOU COULD PROBLEM SOLVE BY PLUGGING INTO A DIFFERENT SKILLED TRADE.
Brody says, IT MAY JUST BE THE ONE TO TAKE YOU ON A HIGH-SPEED TRIP TO THE TOP.
Both wave and say, BYE!
Akeylah and Brody lean towards the laptop screen.
Brody mutters, WHO ARE THE NEXT ONES?
[Upbeat music plays]
End credits. Hosts: Akeylah James, Brody Agmon. Tradesperson: Michael Mukupa. Written by Johnny Mitchell. Directed by Maria Bui. Produced by Francis Mitchell, Johnny Mitchell, David Mitchell. Co-producers: Emma Fox, Anthony Gullace. Executive producers: Richard Bergmann, Thomas Kritsch. Music by: Joseph Shabason, Christine Bougie. Special thanks to I.B.E.W. 804, Vikas Madan, Dino Celotto, I.B.E.W. 353, I.B.E.W. C.C.0. Produced in association with T.V.O. Kids. Executive producer, T.V.O.: Kirsten Hurd. Production executive, T.V.O.: Austin Guervara Mastretta. Riverbank Pictures. Copyright 2024 Riverbank Pictures.
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