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Planning a bright future

The AV industry has been hit by a global labour shortage, exacerbated by the pandemic, and CEDIA is doing something about it.

On Wednesday, Daryl Friedman, CEDIA global president and CEO, will unveil a major workforce initiative as the centrepiece of a three-year growth strategy. “One of the things I heard a lot about when talking to members is the need for labour,” Friedman explained. “So, we’re addressing that with a global workforce initiative which will see us go into schools in partnership with our members to help recruit the next generation. We’ve put together a great presentation toolkit that will help us reach a potential 100,000 new integrators.”

The possibilities of a career in AV and smart home installation may not be apparent to many 16- to 18-year-olds, but CEDIA has done its homework. “These young people lived through the
pandemic and as a result of that experience – studies have shown – they don’t just want to earn a paycheck, they want meaningful work. CEDIA has a great story to tell.”

He added: “Graduates can work with some of the most innovative technologies on the planet, they can receive training without having to get into college debt, and we can offer them jobs tomorrow because we’re hiring. They also get to go into people’s homes and make them happy. Our members are the best possible ambassadors to tell that story.

“If members can make an investment in their employees through our training it will be a bond to help them retain talent and upskill the entire industry.”

At ISE 2023, CEDIA has a packed programme, including the Smart Home Technology Conference in the CC1 rooms. It is also hosting the Smart Home Technology Stage in Hall 2, where sessions will explore how future technologies will impact business, and share best practice on how to run a business. At the CEDIA Annual Meeting on Wednesday, Friedman will expand on
the organisation’s strategic aims to increase its presence among adjacent trades such as the design and build community as well as among consumers.

“We want CEDIA certification to mean a lot to the end user,” said Friedman. “We’ll explain how we’re making an investment in new markets and expanding CEDIA’s reach around the world.”