(March 5, Irving, TX) – The Electronic Security Association (ESA) and the Security Industry Association (SIA) are collaborating on a joint strategy to help their members identify, recruit and retain qualified employees for a variety of professional roles within manufacturer and integrator businesses. These workforce development efforts – guided by the input of a task force of SIA and ESA members – will align on three key objectives:
• Outreach to schools, colleges and universities to increase awareness of the security industry and the broad range of careers available
• Research on the industry’s workforce development challenges and possible solutions
• Continuing education programs to help those already in the industry stay current with rapidly evolving technologies
Members of the ESA and SIA Task Force include:
- Steve Firestone – President, Select Security
- Kerri Sutherland – Talent Partner, Axis Communications
- Andrew Lanning – Co-founder, Integrated Security Technologies
- Don Erickson – Chief Executive Officer, SIA
- Eva Mach – Chief Executive Officer, Pro-Tec Design
- Merlin Guilbeau – Chief Executive Officer, ESA
- Jeremy McLerran – Director of Marketing, Qolsys
- Jillian Bateman – Chief Development Officer, ESA
- Shuvankar Roy – VP, Comcast-Xfinity Home IOT Connected Home Strategy & Operations
- Ron Hawkins – Director of Industry Relations, SIA
According to the 2019 SIA Security Megatrends report and ESA Member Surveys, workforce development imperatives are consistently ranked among the highest concerns of both SIA and ESA members.
“There is a war for talent taking place across industries today. The security industry needs to quickly rise above the competition for hiring qualified talent and distinguish itself as a compelling and rewarding source of employment for high school and college students and individuals who are in career transition,” said SIA CEO Don Erickson. “SIA is pleased to work with ESA to elevate the profile of the industry and lead the development of solutions to solve the number-one business issue facing our membership,” said Erickson.
“The skilled labor shortage is reaching a critical point. We’re seeing climbing demand and shortfalls in applicant pools,” says Merlin Guilbeau, CEO of ESA. “For some time now, we’ve been working to arm our members with tools and resources for finding skilled talent, becoming employers of choice, and becoming more methodical about their hiring and onboarding processes. However, as an industry, if we don’t do something impactful together — the long-term impact will be devastating. We are happy to join forces with SIA on such an important initiative.”
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About ESA
Established in 1948, ESA is the largest trade association in the United States representing the electronic security and life safety industry. Member companies install, integrate and monitor intrusion and fire detection, video surveillance and electronic access control systems for commercial, residential, industrial and governmental clients. In cooperation with an alliance of chapter associations, ESA provides technical and management training, government advocacy and delivers information, advice, tools, and services that members use to grow their businesses and prosper. Together, ESA member companies employ more than 500,000 industry professionals and serve more than 34 million residential and commercial clients.
About SIA
SIA is the leading trade association for global security solution providers, with nearly 1,000 innovative member companies representing thousands of security leaders and experts who shape the future of the security industry. SIA protects and advances its members’ interests by advocating pro-industry policies and legislation at the federal and state levels, creating open industry standards that enable integration, advancing industry professionalism through education and training, opening global market opportunities and collaborating with other like-minded organizations. As the premier sponsor of ISC Events expos and conferences, SIA ensures its members have access to top-level buyers and influencers, as well as unparalleled learning and network opportunities. SIA also enhances the position of its members in the security marketplace through SIA GovSummit, which brings together private industry with government decision makers, and Securing New Ground, the security industry’s top executive conference for peer-to-peer networking.
Media Contacts
Kara Klein – Manager of Communications, Security Industry Association ([email protected]) 301-804-4704
Jillian Bateman – Chief Development Officer, Electronic Security Association (
[email protected]) 617-224-6234
