News

CompTIA launches UK certification for technicians working with digital home networks (5/2/2007)

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) has launched the UK's first certification for technicians working with digital home networks. Digital Home Technology Integrator + (DHTI+) solves the problem of finding skilled technicians to support networked technologies in the home - an issue preventing growth in the lucrative digital home industry. It also provides a way for technicians to demonstrate their capabilities against a set of industry-approved skills. This will offer potential employers confidence in their abilities, increasing the chance of employment.

DHTI+ will be taught in training centres throughout the UK from March including the Technology Innovation Centre in Birmingham and Bedford College.

DHTI+ impact on home technology users

Falling technology and broadband prices means more people are buying digital devices for their homes. Many of these technologies are designed to work together but few know how to connect them and reap the benefit of a networked home. They require qualified specialists to install, integrate and provide support services. DHTI+ is the first credential able to certify that an individual has the basic skills and knowledge to configure, integrate, maintain and troubleshoot a home network. It provides technicians with the skills to set up and manage networks of devices which can offer combined services around the home. This could include wireless internet connections, internet enabled kitchen appliances, media servers, security systems, heating and ventilation systems and digital television set top boxes.

This is particularly important for those who work at home and need confidence in the stability and performance of a home office. Consumers whose work relies on reliable remote working need to know that the person installing their equipment is qualified to an approved level of expertise.

DHTI+ impact on the digital home industry

For those already offering home technology integration services, DHTI+ offers a way to identify only the most qualified staff. It provides employers with a way to validate the skills of current and prospective staff against an accepted benchmark. It also offers a way to train employees with the assurance that successful candidates have an industry-approved standard of knowledge. DHTI+ will help increase the overall standard of home network installation and service skills across the UK.

"The biggest challenge for us as a growing business is how we know the people we hire are up to the job," said Toby Treacher, managing director, dt3 - a firm offering home networking support. "Not only does DHTI+ give us a way to validate their skills, it allows us to train those who do not meet DHTI+ competency using an industry-approved standard."

DHTI+ impact on traditional home service industries

DHTI+ also presents an opportunity for small businesses to increase their revenue by helping them expand the number of services they can offer customers. DHTI+ is relevant to anyone working in the home. Plumbers, electricians and security system installers can learn how to setup and maintain new home technologies, many of which are able to integrate with traditional utilities such as central heating, lighting and plumbing. By introducing new skills to traditional home workers they can offer a one-stop-shop for a range of services which customers prefer.

"Digital home networking will never develop as an industry without qualified technicians to deliver service and support" said Matthew Poyiadgi, European regional director, CompTIA. "This qualification will help create an army of skilled specialists, increase the credibility of skills for home networking and improve the legitimacy of the digital home industry overall."

www.comptia.org