5 Industries with a High Demand for Wireless Certified Professionals

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Most of the developed world switched from a service-based to an information-driven economy decades ago. Information systems have played a significant role in that transformation. Wired communication networks and data centers have turbo-charged the transition, yet our digital transformation has only just begun.

Innovations with wireless and IoT/edge computing technologies will revolutionize the world again, and wireless-certified professionals, and those who pass the CWNP Wireless Analysis Professional (CWAP-404), will be in high demand, especially in these industries.

1. Manufacturing

Designing manufacturing systems has always been complicated. There is no such thing as a turnkey system, and engineers create specialized machines using off-the-shelf components.

Designing and building machines that power manufacturing facilities are only one complication of the process, however. Maintaining and keeping those machines running is another. Manufacturing facilities operate at peak cost effectiveness the longer they run. However, scheduling maintenance and operators to keep them running 24/7 has historically been a bottleneck in the industry. 

Without specialized devices and connectivity, “just-in-time” maintenance is a pipe dream. That’s changing. Wireless technologies can be utilized in manufacturing facilities for low-power and high-bandwidth applications. Likewise, specialized IoT devices can be created using off-the-shelf components like Raspberry Pis, Arduino boards, and raw sensors. 

However, engineers require stable and secure wireless networks to power the communication backhaul for these devices. Robust connectivity is crucial for " just-in-time” performance, and wireless-certified professionals will be instrumental in achieving it.

Related: Why You Should Get Wireless-Certified in 2025.

2. Farming

Agriculture is ripe for technological innovation. For instance, some companies are attempting to build AI-driven automated harvesting machines. It won’t be much longer before robots pick our tomatoes. 

Certainly, innovation will come from replacing humans with machines, but the real transformation in the ag industry will come from data collection. By utilizing vast wireless networks, farmers can use sensors to capture soil conditions, weather conditions, livestock migration patterns, or even real-time biofeedback from farm animals.

None of this will be possible without wireless networks. Unfortunately, building wireless deployments in the middle of a hundred-acre field isn’t as easy as it sounds. Everything from weather conditions to the curvature of the Earth can impact wireless performance, and the ag industry needs techs who understand those complicated scenarios. 

3. Healthcare

Doctors love their sensors, but patients don't; they keep them “wired” to their beds. IoT devices and edge computing can provide better solutions for healthcare workers and their patients.

However, healthcare facilities are far more sensitive to wireless transmissions than other businesses. Medical equipment is subject to RF interference, and doctors won’t risk patients’ lives. 

Advancements in wireless technologies make it possible to create new medical equipment, and wireless-certified professionals will play a vital role in deploying and maintaining this equipment. Medical facilities will require trained experts who understand the intricacies of RF interference, how wireless technologies interact with various types of electronic equipment, and, most importantly, how to remediate wireless issues.

4. Energy 

The future of energy production will likely be more localized than the large power plants we are accustomed to. Organizations are experimenting with hydro, wind, and nuclear micropower plants worldwide. Small, disbursed power plants will require more maintenance and monitoring. Energy producers will need a way to communicate with each plant, and engineers and maintenance crews will also need methods to monitor the facilities' health. 

Cybersecurity is vital in power plants, so wireless-certified professionals must manage and secure the wireless networks that power the communication in these micro power plants.

5. Internet Services

Historically, cable companies have controlled markets through regulation. It’s been prohibitively expensive or not legally possible for competitors to install wired networks and launch new Internet Service Provider (ISP) services. 5G technologies are changing that.

Various small ISP businesses are deploying new services to small communities throughout the U.S. Large telecommunication companies, like Verizon and TMobile, have watched how well these tiny 5G-based ISP services work — and are deploying their own 5G-powered home internet services. It won’t be much longer before 5G home internet connectivity is common, and consumers will finally have a choice for ISP services. 

And guess what? Wireless WANs need techs to keep them running.   

Are You Ready to Become a Wireless-Certified Professional? 

CBT provides an advanced wireless networking course that focuses on techniques for capturing, analyzing, and troubleshooting wireless data. By building these real-world skills, you’ll be better prepared for roles requiring in-depth wireless analysis.

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