Alan Matthews, Managing Director of Automated Spaces, liaised with Amanda Gwyther Head of Computing at Long Field Spencer Academy about the ‘NextGen’ initiative. “The ‘NextGen’ initiative includes raising awareness of the smart home industry, the companies that operate within the industry, the various types of jobs roles within these companies and potential routes into the industry such as the newly recognised ‘Smart Home Technician’ apprenticeship scheme” Automated Spaces, Managing Director Alan Matthews said.

Amanda immediately saw the potential benefits for the pupils at Long Field Spencer Academy of the initiative. “To have the opportunity for local businesses to come in and discuss upcoming dynamic career paths is essential to the visions of our young minds” Head of Computing, Long Field Spencer Academy, Amanda Gwyther said.

It was then arranged for representatives from Automated Spaces, Stuart Westmoreland Ltd. and CEDIA to go into the Academy and provide the ‘NextGen’ presentation to a large group of year 10 pupils.

“Long Field Spencer Academy were enthusiastic about the opportunity for their pupils to be able to learn more about the Smart Home industry. On the day of our visit the staff were very welcoming, and the pupils were very engaged. It was great to see that after the presentation and learning more about the opportunities in the smart home industry, that there were at least several pupils who said they might now consider a future career in the industry.” Automated Spaces, Managing Director Alan Matthews said.

“The ‘NextGen’ initiative that CEDIA recently launched is going to introduce a new generation of pupils and young people to the growing Smart Home industry, and what future opportunities it can offer them. It was therefore very important to us to be able to take part in the presentation to Long Field Spencer Academy, and wonderful to see the reaction of the teachers and pupils to it in such a positive way.” Stuart Westmoreland Ltd., Director Richard Westmoreland added.

“The CEDIA NextGen presentation was very informative for our pupils, highlighting various opportunities in the smart home industry, many of which are local based and inspiring, truly opening our eyes to the wonderful world of smart housing. We at Long Field cannot thank enough Automated Spaces, Stuart Westmoreland Ltd. and CEDIA for giving up their time in order to inspire and enlighten us in the smart home industry” Head of Computing, Long Field Spencer Academy, Amanda Gwyther said.

“I would like to thank Long Field Academy, as well as CEDIA members Automated Spaces and Stuart Westmoreland Ltd, for the opportunity to engage with these fantastic young people. It was great to see such genuine interest from the students and to share with them details about the Smart Home Technician Apprenticeship. CEDIA is committed to educating and inspiring young people about the career opportunities in the industry, and hopefully the visit in Long Field Academy will be the first of many more to come.” Education Manager EMEA, CEDIA, Aneta Armova-Levin said.

“Following on from going into Long Field Spencer Academy to present the NextGen campaign, we are now in discussions with Long Field Spencer Academy to arrange for their pupils to visit our smart home show house, that is in Melton Mowbray, so that they can get hands on with various technologies in an immersive real-world setting.”

“Its exciting times in the Smart Home sector and we hope that we can identify locally the next potential stars that could join the industry.” Automated Spaces, Managing Director Alan Matthews said.

If you would like to discuss having a representative of CEDIA present the NextGen Initiative for your pupils or students in the U.K., or if you would like to access to the 'NextGen' materials to present on behalf of CEDIA, you can contact the Education Team at CEDIA on education@cedia.org or 01480 213744 Option 3 for Education.