The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association (SBCA) said it trained and certified more than 4,000 technicians during the first quarter of 2005, an increase of almost 50 percent compared to the number of direct broadcast satellite (DBS) industry technicians trained and certified during the first quarter of 2004. SBCA trains and certifies technicians under its National Standards and Testing Program.

“The demand for certification continues to grow as the DBS industry focuses more and more on installation as key in maintaining its lead in customer satisfaction,” SBCA Vice President of Training and Technology Steve Hill said in a statement.