CEDIA announced the latest step in ongoing advocacy efforts, this time to establish the Technology Integrator occupational code within the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system. The organization says this initiative is a crucial part of CEDIA’s broader mission to support its members and advance the smart home technology industry.

The U.S. Government recently announced the review of the 2018 SOC for potential revision in 2028. This review marks the beginning of the revision process, which includes consideration of new detailed occupations. CEDIA says it is critical that technology integrators are recognized with a separate SOC occupational code in this revision, as they are currently misclassified as a subset of the electrical trade.

“Technology integrators possess a unique and diverse skill set that distinguishes them from all other trades,” said Daryl Friedman, global chief executive officer and president for CEDIA. “Their work encompasses a broad range of expertise, including networking, audiovisual systems, automation and smart home technologies, which requires an accurate and distinct classification within the SOC system.”

CEDIA, along with other industry stakeholders, says it is actively preparing comments for the SOC Policy Committee to advocate for the establishment of the Technology Integrator occupational code. By doing so, CEDIA says it aims to ensure that the professional contributions of technology integrators are accurately recognized and classified. In addition to submitting comments to the SOC Policy Committee, CEDIA is working with Congress to create a letter of support and is urging CEDIA members and the wider community to engage with their Congressional leadership. By encouraging Congress to support this initiative, the aim is to bring greater awareness to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics  about the importance of establishing a separate occupational code for technology integrators. To get involved, CEDIA is encouraging its members to engage with their Congressional leadership by utilizing the pre-created template by August 12, 2024. Members will receive an email with the template and a prompt to participate.

“We call on our members and industry partners to join us in this critical advocacy effort,” Friedman said. “Your support can make a significant impact by reaching out to Congressional leaders and urging them to sign a letter to the BLS, emphasizing the need for this new detailed occupational code.”

CEDIA’s recent efforts are a follow-up to its recent “Smart Home Day on Capitol Hill,” the first ever advocacy day in Washington, DC for the custom integration industry. It also filed comments with the FCC, educating the commission on the critical work of integrators. These efforts expand CEDIA’s historical state-based work protecting the industry from harmful regulation, including an in-person delegation to Lansing, Michigan in October.