Kathryn Osborne
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Conference 2009 Training Session notes
27th Jul 2009
�Training : What are the actual requirements from the point of view of new entrants, practitioners, and employers�
Minutes of the discussion at ETNZ Conference 14/6/09
Summary
� We all agree training is required. We don�t have the information to make an informed decision on what form this training should take to fully satisfy the needs of our industry.
� Industry needs to better quantify (not perception based) the needs of the industry, so that work can be done to put a structure around how to address what is perceived to be a wide range of training needs.
Overview
� Everyone agrees training is needed.
� Training needs vary depending on who you talk to
� There are a variety of training courses available that suit particular needs within the industry (eg Unitec, Toi Whakaari, short courses etc)
� There is no co-ordinated training pathways for new entrants or existing practitioners
� There is a lack of data on exactly how many technicians (broken down into different types of technician) there are.
� There is a lack of good data available in terms of labour market forecasting (where our future needs will be).
� There is a lack of good data available on the exact training needs of the industry
� General agreement that training needs to have a large component of �~hands on� or on the job training.
� Due to the nature of our industry our �~industry needs� can vary wildly from month to month. (examples quoted by the edge requiring huge staff numbers, then requiring �~none�. Also the need for wardrobe team members in Christchurch). This leads to an industry need for staff that have diverse skills, and are prepared to work in a variety of roles depending on the specific needs of the time (eg dresser, then midnight packouts, then corporate work etc etc).
Framing / Introductions for the meeting
� Kate explained the training available at Toi Whakaari including Diploma, Bachelor, and Advance Diploma options.
� Kerry explained the needs of The Edge �" Due to the variable nature of our industry there is a variable demand for skill sets. A need for well rounded �~staff� member with an expertise in an area or 2. A need to be flexible. Specialists are less important (they tend to be �~easier� to find).
� Dale �" Talked of the difference between a Production House Technician ( eg what Toi Whakaari are training for), and a tech for a touring venue. Posing a question on how many technicians are employed in a �~Production House� venue vs the rest of the technicians in the industry.
Needs of an employer
� Trained staff
� Apprentiship ?
� Matching people with skills, with the skills required
� Need for entry level skills
� Need a pool of people with general skills �" thoughts around utilising amateur groups, and training for them (eg Bruce Mason etc).
� Short Specialised Training
� A need for Interpersonal skills / Motivation / Personality
Needs of an Industry Practitioner
� Apprentiship
� Mentoring from Day 1
Auckland Theatre Company needs are;
� Need graduates from Unitec or Toi for �Productions�
� Need classical Theatre Skills
� Great opportunities for Internships, but these need to be timely to make the most of the opportunities (ie production weeks).
Labour Market Forecasting �" needs indicated at the meeting
� Lighting Designers (Wellington has a need- Christchurch has sufficient)
� Production Manager �" a number of Stage Managers end up filling this role �~OK�, but don�t have the full skill set to perform this function.
� Stage Managers
Other comments
� Are we seen as a �~real� industry / employment option / career path ??? (Toi Whakaari does this a lot. The School gateway program is an example of how the industry is �~showcased� to students).
� Best way to learn things is to �~do� it in real situations. This is when time is most precious, so is not necessarily the best time to do it for a large group (can work for 1 on 1 or small groups if time permits).
� Some promoters object to using �~their time� to train others.
� Some promoters object to having people of lesser skills in positions which they are being charged to the promoter. (Volunteers could be an example of this).
� Industry Practitioners with excellent technical skills are not necessarily the best trainers. Training is a skill that may need to be taught to industry practitioners. Another option is to have trainers that don�t have significant industry experience (the last option was not well received by the audience)
� There are a huge number of amateurs with a wide range of basic skills sets that could be utilised
� People want to �~come� to our industry �" but don�t know how to get inside the door. Lots of comments about people �~hanging around� (volunteering) until they got jobs
� Perhaps we need places to look for people with specific skill sets wanting to get into the industry, matching them to demands (eg Christchurch�s need for wardrobe people, does another city have a surplus ?)
� There needs to be better communication between Toi + Unitec and the possible employer placement opportunities. Toi spoke that this was over to the student to develop these �~relationships� with specific employers �" but perhaps employers/organisations need to have the opportunity to register their ability/open-ness to receive placements ?
� Need a commitment to put people on training courses. There have been some attempts to run training courses, and the response has been poor, which leads the courses to be cancelled � and therefore they tend not to be run in the future.
� If you need staff, then Toi Whakaari is a good place to start asking questions. They have a good knowledge of where their ex students �~are�, and who is available with the appropriate skill sets.
� Recognition of Excellence (eg in Schools �" eg NZATT awards with Selecon) can be good as �~marketing� our industry to students.
� Thoughts around a possible opportunity for ETNZ to provide a skill matching service for people looking for work, and for employers needing staff with specific skills.
� The Big Idea is another good tool people can use to advertise themselves and list their CV�s.
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