In an industry grappling with a persistent shortage of skilled talent, one company has charted a new course. CTI, the St. Louis, Missouri,-headquartered integration firm, has earned the prestigious 2025 Integrator of the Year award for its approach to talent development, a strategy culminating in a landmark achievement: becoming the first integrator in the United States with a Department of Labor (DOL) approved Apprenticeship Program. This recognition isn’t just for innovative thinking; it’s for building a sustainable solution from the ground up.
While many in the AV and mission-critical technology space search for ready-made talent, CTI chose to build its own. Cathy Kelly, Chief People Officer at CTI, explains, “There is a lot of conversation in the industry about labor shortages, but less conversation about investment. Apprenticeships shift that mindset.”
CTI has identified the talent gap not as a barrier, but as an opportunity to redefine industry standards. This forward-thinking vision has set CTI apart, transforming its people-centric culture into a powerful competitive advantage.
Related: NSCA, CI+SSI Announce 2025 Integrator of the Year Award Winners
Building a Talent Pipeline from the Ground Up
CTI’s award-winning strategy is a comprehensive talent-development pipeline, meticulously designed to nurture professionals at every stage of their early careers. It’s a holistic ecosystem that few competitors can match.
The journey begins with a robust internship program, offering students an immersive introduction to AV technology. It’s the first step in demystifying the industry and showcasing viable, exciting career paths.
Courtesy / CTI
For new hires, the next stage is the intensive CTI Boot Camp. This program accelerates their integration, equipping them with the foundational technical skills and cultural understanding needed to thrive. It ensures that every team member, regardless of their background, starts with a common baseline of excellence and a deep connection to the company’s mission.
Kelly says, “Apprentices arrive on job sites with a clearer understanding of expectations, safety standards, and workflows. That preparation shows up in stronger teamwork, fewer surprises, and smoother project execution. When people feel supported and know what good looks like, clients experience it as reliability and confidence.”
The Crown Jewel: A DOL-Approved Apprenticeship
Courtesy / CTI
The capstone of this entire system is the DOL-approved Apprenticeship Program, a true industry first. This formal, structured pathway provides entry-level technicians with a clear road to success. It’s a powerful combination of guided training, dedicated mentorship from seasoned experts and crucial, real-world on-the-job experience.
Kelly says, “The apprenticeship provides a clear entry point and a defined path forward, so newcomers are not left to figure things out on their own. It allows people to build real skills while seeing how those skills connect to a long-term career.”
By securing this federal approval, CTI has legitimized a new career path within the AV industry. The program not only validates the skills and competencies of its graduates but also ensures a consistent, high-quality standard of work. Kelly explains, “When people are trained within a clear, consistent system, clients experience that as stability and quality. Teams understand CTI’s standards from the beginning, feel accountable to them, and work with confidence. That reduces variability on projects and builds trust with clients over time.”
This initiative directly addresses the industry’s labor challenges, creating a steady stream of highly skilled, deeply engaged technicians who are prepared for the future.
People, Culture and a Competitive Edge
Courtesy / CTI
This strategic investment in people is yielding tangible results. Kelly says, “[The] program reflects how CTI approaches talent development in practice, not just in principle. When you remove friction, set clear expectations, and invest consistently, people do not just meet the standard, they raise it. We see that every day in how our teams show up and how our work gets done.”
The comprehensive talent pipeline delivers a stronger pool of candidates, drives higher employee retention and ultimately leads to faster, more efficient project execution for clients. It’s a win-win-win: for the employees who gain a career, for the company that secures its future and for the clients who receive exceptional service.
Reflecting on the legacy of the DOL-Apprenticeship program, Kelly shares, “I hope people can look back and say CTI gave me a career, not just a job. If this program helps individuals build meaningful, long-term careers and encourages the industry to take development more seriously, that would be a success.”
CTI Redefines Industry Standards by Investing in People, Not Just Technology
Courtesy / CTI
CTI’s leadership proves that the greatest asset isn’t just the technology it integrates, but the people who power it. While technology evolves at a breakneck pace, the company’s commitment to developing, training and empowering the next generation ensures it not only keeps up with change but stays ahead of it. program reflects how CTI approaches talent development in practice, not just in principle.
Winning the Integrator of the Year award for talent development is a powerful testament to CTI’s vision. They are not just building complex AV systems; they are building the future of the industry itself, one skilled professional at a time and setting a new, higher standard for all.
