By CEDIA - Thu, Oct 30, 2025 - News
This summer, CEDIA members Erik Hill and Eric Rasmussen volunteered their time and expertise to help shape the next generation of smart home professionals through the SkillsUSA Internet of Things (IoT) competition in Atlanta, Georgia.
SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit serving more than 442,000 high school, college and middle school students and professional members enrolled in training programs in trade, technical and skilled service occupations. Each year, its competitions give high school and college students the opportunity to demonstrate their technical skills in real-world scenarios. The Internet of Things (IoT) competition challenges students to apply technology integration concepts, such as sensor networks, connected devices, and automation systems, to solve problems that mirror those faced by professionals in the smart home industry.
This year, CEDIA Foundation Operations & Workforce Manager Tara Guertin played a key role in revitalizing the IoT competition by assembling a team of judges from across the CEDIA channel. Their insight ensured each competitor was fairly and accurately judged, while their feedback offered students real-world advice and encouragement drawn from years of experience in the field.
Among those judges were Eric Rasmussen, CEO of Intuitive AV, and Erik Hill, Application Engineer at EBARA Pumps Americas Corps, who both found the experience deeply rewarding.
“This summer I had the opportunity to help judge the SkillsUSA IoT competition here in Atlanta. It was inspiring to see so many high school and college students passionate about smart home technology and eager to join our industry,” said Rasmussen.
“Mentorship and workforce development are essential to the continued growth of the custom integration field, and programs like SkillsUSA play a key role in connecting classroom learning with real-world applications. I look forward to continuing to support and grow this program, helping shape future challenges that bring even more industry-specific skills and hands-on experience to these talented students.”
For Hill, the experience was eye-opening and reaffirmed how powerful these programs can be in shaping career paths:
“When approached to volunteer as a competition judge for an ‘Internet of Things’ meet, I had not heard of nor did I have any idea of what I was committing to. Nonetheless, when I finally digested that the event was a youth skills competition surrounding products and lifestyles I personally enjoy, my response was ‘YES—count me in!’
Being my first Skills event, I was completely surprised by the number of trades, industries, and professional pathways available to the youth. The opportunities for individual growth, success, and financial security were nearly overwhelming.
Reflecting back on my own professional growth, I don’t know that I would have chosen a different path, but all of those options sure would have been nice!”
CEDIA’s involvement in programs like SkillsUSA reflects the association’s ongoing commitment to workforce development and mentorship—two pillars essential to the long-term success of the smart home industry. By volunteering their time, CEDIA members like Hill and Rasmussen are helping connect education with opportunity, ensuring that today’s students become tomorrow’s skilled professionals.