CEDIA has announced the launch of the CEDIA NextGen: Smart Home Career Toolkit, a new collection of free resources, designed to complement CEDIA’s existing workforce development programs.

The new initiative will help the global CEDIA channel build awareness of industry employment opportunities and recruit new hires.

CEDIA global president and chief executive, Daryl Friedman, says: “I’ve asked CEDIA members around the world what is the most important thing CEDIA can do for them. The number one answer is to bring new workers into the industry. They’ve also told me that, if given the tools, they will partner with us to reach out to potential employees. CEDIA NextGen provides those tools.”

The toolkit is designed to help integrators forge connections with local talent pipelines. The kit includes ready-to-use resources employers can present to colleges, trade schools, government agencies, community centres and more. Community outreach assets include:

• Informative and energetic industry promotional video.
• Presentations explaining the industry and viable career pathways.
• Quick facts sheet.
• Jobseeker brochure.
• Print-ready promotional poster.
• Classroom presentation for integrators.

These resources make it easy for the CEDIA channel to give polished career fair and in-class presentations; educate career counsellors about the industry; and offer leave-behind assets for guidance offices, career centres and employment offices.

It also includes resources for individuals looking to begin a career in the smart home industry, such as:

• A guide to career pathways.
• An overview of skills needed at each stage.
• Average salary ranges by title.
• A guide to relevant certifications and credentials.

CEDIA vice president of education and training, Mandy Beckner, says: “We already have an incredible network of local member champions working to build awareness of the industry and its opportunities in their regions. These tools will help make those critical volunteer efforts easier and more effective and encourage even more members to speak out on behalf of the industry.”

In addition to general community outreach, the toolkit includes tools to expedite hiring and recruitment, such as customisable messaging examples for job descriptions, email and social correspondence with target recruits, and phone interview scripts. These resources can help employers post open positions on job websites faster, including CEDIA’s Career Centre, and communicate more effectively whenever they need to hire.

As part of the NextGen initiative, CEDIA is waiving the fee for job postings in its Career Centre. For a limited time, CEDIA members and non-members may list full-time, internship and apprenticeship opportunities for free with the code: NextGen23.

All CEDIA NextGen: Smart Home Career Toolkit resources are free to download from the CEDIA website now. To learn more about the toolkit or CEDIA’s broader workforce development initiatives, contact [email protected].