$3-Million Grant to Train Entertainment Workers

The city will get a $3-million federal grant to train entertainment industry union workers for high-tech jobs and skills, the U.S. Department of Labor announced this week.

The grant will train approximately 1,500 members of 20 entertainment industry unions that belong to the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts (IATSE).

The need for new training stems in part from the rise of digital technology, which is revolutionizing the film and entertainment industries. Digital animation, for example, is quickly supplanting hand-drawn cartoons.

To fill the need for training, union members had to rely on funds provided by the Contract Services Administration Trust Fund. Larger unions also turned to their own revenues, but smaller groups with little or no funds often suffered.

“There’s been more change in the past five years than in the last 80 to 100 years [in the industry],” said executive representative of scenic title and graphic artists union Gavin Koon. “And it’s been difficult for a lot of members who have not been able to keep up.”

The grant will provide advanced courses in digital editing, digital cameras, computerized lighting boards, graphic programming, computer animation and digital sound.