News Spotlight – Granholm, Bing, Ficano Announce Training for Film Industry Jobs Available to Detroit Residents

Federal grant supports hands-on education in film production

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, and Wayne County Executive Robert A. Ficano today announced that, thanks to a federal grant, Detroit residents can apply for training to work in Michigan’s growing film industry.  The $438,000 U.S. Department of Labor community-based job-training grant will be administered by the Detroit Workforce Development Department (DWDD), a Michigan Works! agency.

“Michigan’s burgeoning film industry means increased demand for talented, educated people to work in this sector,” Granholm said.  “Building a Michigan film industry is part of our ongoing economic diversification efforts, and this grant helps us toward that goal.”

The DWDD film technician training program will provide employment opportunities in the film industry with a curriculum developed by the Wayne County Community College District in collaboration with the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (IATSE) and the Michigan Film Office.

 “Film production will help us diversify our local economy,” Bing said.  “This grant will allow Detroiters to receive the skills needed to be part of this growing industry.”

“Wayne County is happy to be a partner in this great program,” Ficano said.  “We’re delighted to offer assistance through the Wayne County Film Initiative to help residents of our region find work in a new and exciting industry.”

Students enrolled in the film technician training program will learn the specific skills needed to be a film production technician.  The curriculum includes working in a classroom setting designed around the production environment, hands-on training with IATSE professionals, and working in several studio settings on actual productions.

Several organizations are partnering on the DWDD film technician training program.  They are IATSE; Michigan Film Office; City of Detroit; Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth; Wayne County Community College District; Wayne County Film Initiative; Detroit Public Schools; Goodwill Industries; Detroit Public Television; Madonna University; and Rodney Nolan and Associates, certified financial advisers.

The film technician training program is expected to graduate 45 to 60 students over the next two years.  The year-long course includes 36 class credit hours, 160 internship hours, 180 laboratory hours, and more than 820 personal industry contact hours.  It enables students to pursue an associate’s degree and then a bachelor’s degree through agreement with partner universities.

Admission to the program is open to Detroit residents.  Screening will be conducted by Goodwill Industries and the grant committee.  Goodwill also will provide follow-up and counseling services.  Detroit residents can apply online at:

http://www.detroitmi.gov/Departments/DetroitWorkforceDevelopmentDepartment/tabid/81/Default.aspx