CEDIA (the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association) has enjoyed resounding success in South Africa with its latest education event which included the worldwide debut of CEDIA’s new Residential Network Specialist School, culminating in the Certification exam.
In recognition of the importance of implementing a robust complex network to cope with technology in the home, 19 South African installers attended the 3 day course, comprising Basic Networking, Wireless Networking, Advanced Networking and 16 undertook the final examination.
The event also featured additional popular technical and business training courses, as well as 2 half-day “Technology for Living’ tours attended by 58 architects and designers to private homes, featuring installations done by CEDIA members in Cape Town and Johannesburg. As part of this programme, supported by the SAIA (South African Institute of Architects) and the IID (Institute of Interior Design professions), CEDIA also delivered its introductory training course, Designing Integrated Future Ready Homes to the attendees.
The whole event was deemed a great success from both the industry and the design professionals who participated.
“Once again, I had the privilege of working with experienced, driven industry professionals who gave their valuable time and impressive expertise to help us raise our own standards and levels of knowledge in order to improve the SA AV industry as a whole,’ states Justin Fothergill from Radionic Ltd. “The courses were relevant and effective, and the presenters were superb. CEDIA changed our business and continues to offer the mechanisms and services to help us grow.’
On the Residential Network Specialist course, CEDIA again received hugely positive feedback. “I found the training very enlightening,’ says Neil Geyer of custom installation company, Automation Authority. “The training sessions were not only entertaining but easy to listen to and understand. I look forward to attending more in the future.’
“What a great course that has given us a strong foundation to build from. The practical tips and trade practices are invaluable tools added to our arsenal. The CEDIA presenters, Matt Dodd and Geoff Meads were great,’ adds Nick Caripis from BNC Technology.
A knock on effect of the success of the event is that CEDIA now has 7 new membership applications from South African companies in progress. To keep the momentum moving forward, CEDIA has also invested in training and mentoring 6 South African-based subject matter experts to become CEDIA Certified Presenters. This will allow CEDIA to continue its value training initiative, utilising local resource and knowledge to present internationally developed CEDIA education throughout the year.
CEDIA would like to congratulate the following installers for passing the inaugural Residential Network Specialist Certification exam:
Etienne Terblanche – Be In Control
Louis Taljaard – Sphere Custom Design & Installation
Christiaan Beukes – Sphere Custom Design & Installation
Kevin Bishton – KBM
Shaun Van Niekerk – Elan Systems
Quentin Visser – BNC
Richard Hill-Jowett – Audio Visual Design
Ryno Breedt – HFX
Oren Prato – Intello Homes
Craig Potter – iLED
Justin Fothergill – Radionic
Neil Geyer – Automation Authority
Meanwhile, CEDIA also congratulates Stefan Swanepoel from Sound & Image on passing the EST2 exam. This brings the total number of certified individuals in South Africa up to 88.
