IATSE-2nd2018_web

AV ESSENTIALS
For many years, several progressive IATSE local unions representing
tradeshow technicians, including Locals 16 and 720,
had run their own training programs through InfoComm, the
largest North American pro-AV industry conference.
This spurred President Loeb to form the International
Career Advancement Program (ICAP) Committee, and to explore
establishing a mutually beneficial relationship between
the IA and InfoComm. This led to the establishment of Certified
Technology Specialist (CTS) classes for members, the first
of which were held in 2012 in Las Vegas, Vancouver and Ft.
Lauderdale.
During this time, IATSE decided it needed to develop its
own hands-on AV training for members. A working group was
formed in 2013 to determine curriculum needs. That group
then worked with InfoComm to develop a beta class which
was held in Detroit in October 2013. After the beta class, the
working group refined it further to become what is now known
as the AV Essentials class. In 2014, it was provided to six local
unions. The CTS and AV Essentials classes continue through
the present day.
In 2014, the TTF assumed responsibility for InfoComm,
which was renamed the AVIXA Partnership. Through this program,
IATSE workers can apply for free AVIXA memberships
which include online courses and entry to the tradeshow. Locals
can offer group CTS and AV Essentials courses through the TTF
that are arranged to be offered with an AVIXA instructor and
local IATSE instructors.
By 2018, the AV Essentials program curriculum barely resembled
what it was just four years earlier due to the introduction
of digital AV equipment, the expansion of IT and networking,
and the obsolescence of true projection and cable.
Each year, at least ten AV Essentials classes are scheduled
around the country. Locals requesting the training are required
to follow the protocol designed to insure the training in their
jurisdiction is successful. Tradeshow Department staff assist Locals
in fulfilling all the upfront requirements including filling the
class, identifying local trainers, securing a venue and equipment,
and determining what supplemental training may be required
prior to AV Essentials.
ACTIVISM MANUAL
In 2016, the IATSE developed and launched an Activism
Manual to encourage local unions and their leaders to get active
and to help in recruiting and cultivating member activists. The
manual was designed to be used as a guide to help local unions
build an activist culture and to assist Locals in developing their
own approach to campaigning. It discusses what forms activism
can take, helps Locals identify potential member activists, and
offers assistance on how to conduct campaigns.
CREATIVEFUTURE
The IATSE continues to partner with CreativeFuture, a nonprofit
coalition that advocates for strong but appropriate copyright
protections — empowering filmmakers, photographers,
writers, musicians, composers, playwrights and others to speak
up about the value of creativity and against piracy and how it
affects their ability to create and make a living. On January 14,
2018, IATSE and CreativeFuture teamed up to present a free online
webinar for members to help them understand the relationship
between copyright, piracy, and the health of the entertainment
industry and learn what can be done to protect IA workers’
creative future. A component based on the IATSE Training Trust
Fund Train-the-Trainer model demonstrated how to go into
schools to inspire the next generation of IATSE members, while
also teaching them about the importance of ethical online behavior.
This webinar is available for viewing on the CreativeFuture
website.
104