CEDIA has announced that the U.S. Department of Labor has approved its national apprenticeship framework for the Technology Integrator occupation. As the first apprentice program owned and created by CEDIA and endorsed by the U.S. government, this pivotal step brings the profession into the nation’s recognized apprenticeship system alongside other home-based and construction trades.
Approved Nov. 3, coinciding with Global Smart Home Day, the framework formally recognizes the skills and competencies required of technology integrators. It also gives integration businesses a nationally recognized apprenticeship program for their technicians and provides CEDIA the opportunity to partner with countless educational institutions across the country.
“This approval represents a significant milestone for CEDIA and the entire smart home industry,” says Paul Dolenc, CEDIA vice president of education and training. “It establishes a nationally recognized pathway into our profession, strengthens our workforce development initiatives, supports the school partnerships CEDIA is developing, and creates opportunities to pursue federal and state workforce development funding and grants. More importantly, this program provides employers with a structured approach to developing skilled talent while giving students, career changers, and future professionals a recognized pathway into our industry. This is an important step toward addressing the industry’s long-term workforce challenges.”
The hybrid framework includes 4000 to 6000 hours of on-the-job learning, 630 hours of related technical instruction, and 83 competencies. Training covers integrated system installation, networking, audio and video, lighting, programming, automation, cybersecurity, and troubleshooting, among other skills. Related instruction also incorporates successful completion of CEDIA’s Cabling Infrastructure Technician (CIT) and Integrated Systems Technician (IST) examinations.
A key feature of the approval is a rare supervision ratio of two apprentices to one qualified journeyworker, allowing integration businesses to train more emerging professionals with their existing experienced technicians.
“I believe strongly in what we’ve built through this apprenticeship program and the opportunities it can create for our industry,” says Henry Clifford, CEDIA Board Director and founder of Livewire. “Working with CEDIA gave me the opportunity to share an integrator’s perspective and help shape a framework that reflects the skills and experience needed to succeed in this field. I’m excited to be among the first employers to put it into practice.”
The framework also offers flexibility for trade schools to incorporate classroom instruction, educational content, and hands-on labs into their curricula. After graduation, students can complete the required on-the-job learning and demonstrate their competencies while employed by a participating integration business.
“Our industry has evolved significantly, and the work of today’s technology integrators requires expertise across a wide range of technical disciplines,” says Daryl Friedman, CEDIA global president and CEO. “This approval recognizes that level of skill, brings our profession into the broader skilled trades community, and gives businesses another tool to invest in the people who will shape its future.”
The Department of Labor’s approval applies to CEDIA’s national guidelines, not individual employer programs. Businesses must still complete the applicable federal or state registration process and meet requirements for qualified supervision, training opportunities, and documentation.
For answers to common questions about the apprenticeship framework, visit cedia.org/apprenticeship. Additional guidance for interested businesses will be shared as implementation plans are finalized.
Learn more about CEDIA at cedia.org.
