One of the hottest careers in the 21st century is an electronics systems technician (EST). And the good news is that our industry is the place to work for an EST.

The ‘internet of everything’, with its ubiquitous connectivity, is fast becoming a common feature in most consumer electronics as well as in cars. More than half the devices at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) offered web functionality, and according to global mobile carrier group GSMA revenues from connected devices will grow from $9 billion this year to $24 billion in 2020. This means personal media experiences will soon become the norm for consumer electronics products.

So now is the time to prepare yourself and your installation company to deliver this experience.

Both an individual’s and a company’s success comes with knowledge and doing things right the first time. Whether someone is new to the industry starting as a wire puller or working as a technician, a solid foundation on key areas is critical. A good understanding of the following contributes to success in the fi eld – construction methods, job site safety, tools, fasteners/anchors and pre-wire installation best practices. Also needed is knowledge of electrical basics, industry standards, cables, connectors, testing and troubleshooting methods.

When working in the field, it helps to know how a building is constructed and what materials are used. Buildings and homes are built from the bottom up – foundation, floor, walls, ceilings, additional floors, roofs, windows, doors and then the infrastructure systems. These include mechanical (plumbing and HVAC), electrical and finally, low voltage infrastructure, followed by the interior and exterior finishes. Knowing the correct terminology for building components will make it easier for an EST to communicate with other contractors. Knowing the rules of the job when it comes to construction methods and materials used will save many headaches when installing cabling and technology systems. Being informed on industry standards provides the roadmap for doing the job right the first time.

Being familiar with cable types, proper termination techniques also contributes to doing it right the first time. Testing procedures help identify when something is done right.

Everyone has heard the saying ‘he with the most tools wins’, and in our industry it’s the truth! Having the right tools make the job go smoothly. Having access to quality power tools in good condition helps get the job done quickly.

We all want to have successful careers and be a part of a profitable business, and this requires personal growth, commitment and hard work. The connected technologies industry demands special training and the right tools to get the jobs done efficiently and correctly. Get your ESTs and team educated on the fundamentals and technology principles.