In today’s modern age of safety and only hiring the best and brightest workers in the industry, organizations like the Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA) are working to help get the dedicated professionals the recognition they need and deserve. Found on the web at http://www.esta.org, ESTA is in the business of building show business. As such they are always trying to improve and standardize the live events industry. Having industry standard certifications is one way to do this.
One major improvement ESTA has made is its Entertainment Technician Certification Program or ETCP for short. This will make any technician that has qualified and completed the test to become ETCP certified. There are three main certifications offered, Rigger – Arena, Rigger – Theatre, and Entertainment Electrician. You obtain certification through examination but not anyone can apply. You will need 30 or more points to be eligible to take the exam. Points can come from industry experience and/or higher education. You can require up to 10 points for having both an undergraduate and graduate degree in the entertainment technology field. You need to put time in your entertainment field before you can even consider the rigorous test. But once you have the certification you are recognized as the entertainment industry best and safest, and can get certain jobs and wages as a result.
Safety is becoming ever more increasing in the work place. Having the ETCP Certification is obviously a benefit. It says right on your resume you are up to date with the latest safety procedures and have know how of new industry products. Since it is a prestigious honor, you can negotiate higher wages if needed though reputable companies will offer you higher than average wages from the start. This will help encourage serious industry professionals to go out and get certified. It can open new doors and ensure higher wages. And shows only, use the best labor, a win-win for everyone.
Having an organization like ESTA is extremely helpful for the entertainment industry as seen with their examinations that certify the best and brightest helping build a safer show business. ECTP helps make an industry standard that is universally recognized as a symbol of quality and craftsmanship. It shows merit of pride and determination, discipline and hard work to get certified. Certification will also help lower insurance rates; requiring only certified technicians on jobs means less rookie mistakes and accidents. It is something every entertainment technician should look into and I encourage everyone in the industry to get certified, I am on my way myself.
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