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Ken Haden, NJATC Director of Residential Training, demonstrates home integration technologies to IBEW members at the NJATC's International Training Center in Alcoa, Tennessee. Pictured left to right are: David Brown, Kansas City JATC; Ken Haden, NJATC; Keith Phillips, Kansas City JATC; James Toy, San Mateo County JATC and Darrell Haussler, San Mateo County JATC.

There was a time when the most sophisticated technology found in a home was an intercom system with an integrated AM/FM receiver. This system did not require a great deal of expertise to operate or to install.

The world of home technology has been revolutionized. The modern structured wiring systems designed to enhance the comfort, security and work of the new generation of homebuyers comprise a $15 billion market that is growing at 9% a year. Thats a load of potential work for IBEW members-an opportunity to recover some lost ground in the residential market.

Certification Offered for
Home Technologies Integrator Plus (HTI+)

To support the explosive growth in home technology, the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC) has partnered with the Cisco Learning Institute to offer Home Technologies Integrator Plus (HTI+) training to IBEW and NECA members through local IBEW/NECA training programs. The HTI+ certification is based on a set of standards designed to measure the mastery of core competencies regarding the installation, integration and troubleshooting of residential sub-systems and infrastructure (see box).

There are currently 4,000 manufacturers and 25,000 installing/integrating companies active in this market. Of todays new homes, 29% have structured wiring installed and 75% of all US homes have access to broadband Internet service. (all IHA 2002 study).

Homebuyers Purchase
a Wide Range of Options

New homebuyers are purchasing a wide range of options. It is now possible to see others inside or outside the house on a dedicated channel or picture-in-a-picture on ones television set. Music programming from many sources including CDs, AM/FM broadcasts, and cable and satellite broadcasts can now be delivered in high-fidelity stereo to practically invisible, built-in speaker systems throughout the home, complete with individual volume controls for each listening area. One system automatically lowers the volume of a stereo or television when one receives a telephone call. Another system sends an e-mail to the office notifying homeowners that their security system has been tripped or disarmed and attaches a video image of the person responsible. Those who own vacation homes now can adjust the temperature of the central heating/cooling unit and the temperature of the water in the Jacuzzi, using their cell phone over the internet, before they arrive. Other popular applications are spreading:

Personal computers can be plugged into any room to access Internet services, as well as send and receive e-mail and faxes. Multiple computers, printers, fax machines and other devices can be connected to create a cost-effective and convenient home area network that allows for sharing of files, printers, games, etc. Professionals can work at home with the same convenience as at the office.
Single phone lines can share broadband Internet access for multiple, simultaneous users without tying up phones for emergency or other needs. Families can enjoy high-speed Internet access and multiple E-mail accounts while maintaining a single access/service provider.
Audio and video programs, whether from direct broadcast satellite, VDV/DVD players, or cable service providers can be directed to all or one outlet in the home, from the bedroom to the home theater.
An integrated home control system allows the homeowner to control the HVAC, the water heater and other appliances to work more efficiently when necessary and automatically shut down or turn down when not needed to save on overall heating and cooling costs.

Mastering the
New Technology

Installation of yesterdays intercom was as simple as mounting the master control panel and remote room stations, supplying a 120-volt supply circuit to the master panel, and pulling 4-conductor ribbon cable to each remote station. There was no software configuration or programming involved in the set-up and the only required customer training was included in the operators manual.

Modern technologies require an array of advanced skills. The Internet Home Alliance, represented by such names as Sears, CompUSA, Best Buy, Leviton, Cisco and others is a consortium of businesses that manufacture, sell and service home technology products. The IHA has an intense interest in guaranteeing that their products and systems are installed, configured and programmed correctly.

To help insure that individuals have the knowledge and skills required to properly perform the work, the IHA, in cooperation with the Computer Technology Industries Association (www.comptia.org), established the Home Technologies Integrator Plus (HTI+) certification program.

Several independent training programs have been developed recently to prepare individuals for the CompTIA HTI+ exams. Cisco Learning Institutes (www.ciscolearning.org) version, adopted by the NJATC, is a hybrid web-based, instructor-led training program that delivers classroom training, complete with more than 50 hands-on labs.

Sign-up for HTI+
Training Now

For more information about HTI+ training, write Ken Haden, Director of Residential Training or Terry Coleman, Director of Telecommunications Training, National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, International Training Center, 3211 Regal Drive, Suite A, Alcoa, Tennessee 37701. For a complete NJATC training schedule, visit the NJATCs Web site at www.njatc.org or call the NJATC at 301-715-2300.