Recognizing the critical need for an objective means to identify highly skilled and qualified technicians in the entertainment industry, in 2005 ESTA (the Entertainment Services and Technology Association) launched the Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP). The program was developed in order to create a means to develop independent, rigorous assessments of job-specific skills, conduct examinations, and award credentials to those individuals who successfully demonstrate their outstanding knowledge, skills, and abilities within their chosen career field. The ETCP program focuses on disciplines that directly affect the health and safety of audiences, performers, and entertainment industry workers.

In order to ensure the broadest possible application of the new certification program, the ETCP was developed under the auspices of the Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA), and in collaboration with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), Canadian Institute for Theatre Technology (CITT), Clear Channel Entertainment (now Live Nation), International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), International Association of Assembly Managers (IAAM), InfoComm International, The League of American Theatres and Producers, Production Resource Group (PRG), Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), and United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT). In addition, the development of the ETCP program involved some of the most highly respected and skilled individual representatives from within the entertainment industry. In order to ensure that the examination met the most rigorous testing standards, ETCP engaged Applied Measurement Professionals (one of the most well-regarded professional testing firms in the industry) to evaluate and administer the actual examinations.

To date, ETCP has created three certification programs: Rigger–Arena, focusing on overhead rigging practices in non-traditional performance environments; Rigger–Theatre, focusing on overhead rigging practices in traditional, theatrical applications; and Entertainment Electrician, covering electrical practices in all entertainment applications. The programs are designed to identify the top third of each respective category – the crew “leads”, supervisors, and managers involved in both the design of electrical and rigging systems and the daily performance of the safety-critical work in these three categories. The knowledge and skills expected of these qualified individuals encompass not just the physical performance of the given task, but the associated health and safety issues, liability issues, and compliance with applicable legal codes or guidelines.

­Individuals interested in sitting for the exams must meet certain eligibility requirements before being allowed to take the examination. Candidates have three options for testing. All three exams are now available for computer-based testing and a candidate can make arrangements to take the exam at one of 190 testing centers around the U.S and in Canada. Secondly, the examinations will be administered in conjunction with the LDI tradeshow in November 2007 in Orlando, Florida (there is an October 1st, 2007 application deadline for testing at LDI). Finally, companies or organizations can arrange for the test to be administered at their own site. 10 candidates are required for on-site testing and the site must meet certain minimal requirements established by Applied Measurement Professionals (who will provide a proctor for the exam). A fee is associated with the provision of on-site testing. More information about the exams and applications are available at http://etcp.esta.org or by emailing certification@esta.org.

Once a candidate has successfully completed the rigorous assessments of their knowledge and professional skills, their name is added to the ETCP website and they receive a certificate and wallet-sized ID card with the ETCP credential(s) listed. ETCP Technicians can be located by potential employers on the website by certification type, by location or by name. Since the first group of ETCP Certified Technicians completed the process in 2005, a number of employers have begun using both the listing and the individual certifications to identify qualified employees, with ETCP Certified Technicians reporting increased success in partnering with the top employers in the industry. In addition, a number of producing organizations have begun to make the presence of ETCP Certified Technicians in key roles a contracting requirement. Even more firms have begun to make the employment of ETCP Certified Technicians a critical pre-qualification element when evaluating potential vendors.

ETCP partners with employers and labor providers to build safer workplaces. The ETCP Recognition Programs represent a commitment to the enhancement of safety and reduction of risk in the workplace by industry employers and labor providers. These organizations demonstrate Best Practices by utilizing ETCP Certified Technicians, and by encouraging their employees to become ETCP Certified professionals. Organizations who accept these Best Practices stand behind the knowledge, skill and dedication to safety of their ETCP Certified Technicians. ETCP Recognized Employers are listed on the ETCP website http://etcp.esta.org/cert_recognized/employers.htm and may utilize the special ETCP Recognized logo which identifies them as an Employer (or Labor Provider) of ETCP Certified Technicians. • • •