IATSE Local 30 prides itself on having one of the best education programs in the Theatrical trade. Local 30's Apprentice Training Program is a comprehensive three year program with a combination of classroom and "hands-on" training.
Applications are accepted for our Apprentice Training Program at our office (click here for a map) on the First Monday and Tuesday of June. In order to be accepted into the Apprentice Training Program, there are two qualification exams that are administered to applicants, one exam tests general knowledge, while the other is a test of basic mechanical skills. After these exams are taken, the applicant is scheduled for an interview with the Apprenticeship and Training Committee of Local 30. It is from this interview process that the new class is chosen.
Classes run January through September. The first year of the Program is an introduction to our trade, as well as the venues of the area. The first year also covers the basics of general stage knowledge, and introductions to stage carpentry and electrics. In this year of instruction, the student will learn in the classroom and shop about set design and construction, as well as safety in the shop and technical drawing reading.
The second and third years of the Program get into Sound and Projection/Video as needed in our trade, as well as advanced stage carpentry and electrics.
Throughout the student's instruction, he or she will be required to keep a log of the hours that are worked in the trade. This way, the practical "on-the-job" training of the student is documented. Also, the student is required to complete at least 6 "experience calls" per year of instruction. These are opportunities for the student to learn by watching and participating in specialty areas that the student might not normally be involved in.
Local 30 is also concerned about keeping it's members up to date with current trends and equipment in the Theatrical industry. To this end, from time to time, the Local will host "Journeyman Update" classes. These can be "venue specific", such as getting more working knowledge of the lighting and sound systems installed in the Indiana Convention Center. Or they can be "equipment specific" such as learning about, and working with, the latest equipment from a specific manufacturer.