The Electronics Behind Smart Devices: How Technicians Are Powering the IoT Revolution

Smart devices have become critical to the day-to-day function of many Canadian consumers and businesses. From at-home smart devices that can tell you the weather to manufacturing industry sensors that communicate temperature in long-haul trucks, smart devices are changing the way we operate.

There’s no doubt, then, that having skilled employees to handle the functionality and repairs to these systems is critical. An electronics technician can do just that. The Electronics Technician Program at George Brown College is specifically geared towards preparing students of all backgrounds to embrace this in-demand career field.

The Role of Electronics Technicians in Smart Devices

Take into consideration how large the industry is. In Canada, smart home devices are present in about 74% of all households, including smart TVs, Bluetooth-enabled devices, and entertainment devices. Many of these devices operate through the Internet of Things, or IoT. This market is expected to see an annual growth rate of 9.44% from 2025 to 2029. Yet, these devices require professionals who know how to maintain and repair them over time.

Electronics technicians provide a range of services to support the growth of this market. That includes:

Designing smart devices for consumer and commercial use that create new opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce energy costs, and improve operations and safety
Assembling smart devices, including IoT hardware such as sensors, boards, and microcontrollers, to ensure long-term effective use of these intricate and complex systems
Maintaining smart devices over time, including making repairs, handling programming upgrades, and ensuring overall safe use

Electronics technicians provide this service over a wide range of devices, including smart devices, wearables, and embedded systems. Without a technician to design, support, and maintain these systems, IoT cannot operate effectively or achieve its biggest objectives.

Essential Skills Electronics Technicians Need to Work in the Smart Device Industry

To be successful in the smart device and IoT industry, it’s critical to have core skills specific to this industry. That includes technical skills, soft skills, and practical abilities.

Hard skills needed as an electronic technician include:

Fundamental theories and principles of analog and digital electronics
Familiarity with controllers, including Programmable Logic Controllers and Arduino microcontrollers
Knowledge of electronic components that make up smart devices
Safety skills for electrical and electronic work
Ability to read circuit diagrams and schematics
Extensive knowledge of communication protocols, including USB, Ethernet, and RS232, among others

These skills prepare technicians to operate in the current industry, with the tools and skills necessary for today’s technicians. However, it is also incredibly important to have advanced knowledge and the ability to grow your understanding of new technologies. A core foundation is an important starting point.

Soft skills needed to work in the IoT industry include:

Excellent communication skills, including the ability to communicate processes
Problem-solving skills, including diagnostic skills for thinking outside of the box to understand problems and troubleshoot solutions
The ability to adapt to changing conditions and implement new strategies that become available
Solid teamwork skills to be able to work productively with others

In addition to these skills, electronics technicians must also be able to use all of the tools of the trade, maintain an extensive and ongoing knowledge base, and be lifelong learns. There is quite a bit to learn.

The Electronics Technician Program Creates a Path

George Brown College offers an Electronics Technician Program that prepares you to work in this incredibly in-demand industry that is growing across the country. Our program includes hands-on work with real-world electronic systems, giving you the ability to take your knowledge and apply it to your job right away. You’ll learn everything about designing, assembling, and maintaining smart devices, embedded systems, and wearables.

The Electronics Technician Program offers a curriculum based on an extensive understanding of the industry. It includes:

Current, voltage, and resistance modules
Series Circuits and Parallel Circuits
OHM’s Law, Power, and Energy
Magnetic circuitry
Magnetism
Inductance and inductors
AC measuring
Alternating voltage and current

More so, there is a strong focus on the latest electronics, including digital electronics and microprocessors. These are some of the most important components in the IoT industry.

What You’ll Be Able to Do with Our Certificate

With real-world knowledge and practical skills, those who complete the Electronics Technician Program gain access to the fast-growing IoT industry. You will learn skills that allow you to enter into IoT system design and development, work with manufacturers on the implementation of smart devices, and provide businesses with support in repairing and modernizing systems as industry trends change.

Our interactive curriculum provides an opportunity for students to learn in an authentic, actionable manner. That may help increase your ability to explore the industry and build a stronger foundation of knowledge for future development and growth.

How You Can Get Started

If you are ready to embark on a new opportunity to enter a fast-growing industry, George Brown College’s Electronics Technician Program is ready to support your efforts. With flexible, skills-based training in electronics and electronic systems, adult learners can explore an interesting new field through independent study.

If you cannot go to school full-time or step away from life, our career-focused programs give you the resources you need to advance your future at your own pace. Learn more by contacting us today or calling our Program Consultants toll free at 1-888-553-5333.