Support your constituents in the Smart Home profession. Write to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Erika McEntarfer
Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Postal Square Building
2 Massachusetts Avenue NE
Washington, DC 20212-0001
Re: The importance of establishing Integrator in the next revision of the Standard Occupational Classification system
Dear Commissioner McEntarfer:
As you know, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics will soon lead the next revision of the Standard Occupational Classification system. This provides important employment data for many segments of my district’s economy.
As technology evolves it is vital the Standard Occupational Classification system recognizes occupational titles that have emerged. The nature of the work done by technology integrators is distinct from other occupational classifications in the Standard Occupational Classification system and needs to be recognized with a new occupational classification.
The Work of Integrators
Integrators design, install, maintain, integrate, and automate technology throughout residential and commercial projects. Integrators work with many different technologies and systems to meet the needs of their clients. These complex systems require well-trained and technologically astute integrators. Integrators are the professionals who install, configure, and maintain these technology ecosystems.
The need for a well-trained workforce that is knowledgeable in how to install, maintain, connect, and deploy these dual functioning devices and systems is the role of the integrator. The need for integrators will increase as consumers demand for connected devices on a secure network at home and work will significantly increase with emerging technologies.
The Challenge
Integrators work with numerous technologies and provide important services throughout the home and on commercial projects, and they are currently misclassified in the Standard Occupational Classification.
The technology systems industry and integrators are currently classified in the Standard Occupational Classification under 49-2022: Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairs, Except Line Installers which falls under the hierarchy of 49-2000: Electrical and Electronic Equipment Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers.
The integrator’s skill set is a separate, and a more diverse skill set than an electrician with specialized skills to work with different technologies throughout residential and commercial projects. The scope of work for integrators is separate from electrical work. Technology has evolved so that the work of integrators needs to be distinct from the role of electricians. The training and skills required to work on technology systems are not the same as electrical work. Integrators have established career paths within the technology systems industry and their skill set is more important as technology supports consumer productivity and lifestyle at home and in the workplace.
It should be a goal within the next revision of the Standard Occupational Classification within the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to establish integrator with a new occupational classification and not be under a broad occupational classification that does not properly represent this important occupation.
It is critical the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics includes integrator with a new occupational classification in the next revision to the Standard Occupational Classification system to support this key industry and its important workforce that is responsible for technology innovation and adoption on residential and commercial projects.
I appreciate your time and attention to this important issue.
Respectfully submitted,
(Member of Congress)
Smart home professionals, or integrators, are technology experts and service providers for residential projects. They are designers of the connected home, delivering solutions for productivity, health, entertainment, and more.
Residential integrators are adept in a wide range of disciplines such as audio/video, networking, telecommunications, lighting control, system control and integration, user interfaces, and surveillance and security systems.
The professional smart home technology industry is made up of companies that design, manufacture, install, integrate, and automate smart homes and intelligent building products, systems, and services.
A skilled workforce is the lifeblood of the professional smart home technology industry making it imperative for companies to attract, develop, and retain skilled talent. As consumer demand for connected devices on a secure network rises, so will the need for integrators. These dual-functioning devices and systems require a high level of expertise from a skilled workforce to install, maintain, connect, and deploy.
The Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system lies within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which mandates the use of the SOC by federal statistical agencies that collect occupational data. OMB is planning to release the next revised SOC by 2028 and should publish an initial Federal Register notice soliciting public comment around Spring 2024 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Smart Home Professionals, or Integrators, are currently misclassified as a subset of the electrical trade within the SOC system. In the next revision to the SOC system, it is vital integrators are recognized with a separate SOC occupational code. An integrator’s skill set, and training is separate and more diverse than an electrician with specialized skills to work with technology throughout the home.
Integrators have an immense impact on the productivity and lifestyle that consumers enjoy in their homes. They are the designers of the connected home experience for their clients. These experts design, install, integrate, program, and automate a variety of technology systems so that these technologies work together easily and intuitively throughout the home.
In past revisions of the SOC system, the SOC Policy Committee has been chaired by the BLS. It is important the BLS understand integrators are a critical part of America’s workforce and its current and future technology needs. A vital step for the important work of integrators is to establish a separate SOC occupational code in the upcoming SOC system revision.
Congress can play an important role in bringing this issue to the attention of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Please write to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics asking them to recognize your constituents in the Smart Home Profession with the proper Standard Occupational Classification for integrators.