Oakwood Arts, I.A.T.S.E. Local 487, Virginia Registered Apprenticeships (DOL)

OA JET (Oakwood Arts Job Education Training) Program

Program participants, Internships & Registered Apprentices

Proposal / Worksprocess for Cohort #3

Proposed curriculum to become Technical instruction Recognized by the Virginia Department of Labor

Beginning in September each year—

OA JET FILM INDUSTRY TRAINING (5 hours per week)

Consist of 3 month-long instructional training programs which are delivered on-site at Oakwood Arts and Industry partner locations:

  • Film Industry Overview (structure, procedures, culture)

  • Production Assistant & Production Office training

  • Technical Training (Camera, Lighting & Grip)


Additional instruction Creative instruction  (3 hours per week)

  • Participation in an OA’s weekly community programs:

  • Creative Careers digital skills workshop 

  • Professional practice for emerging Contemporary Artist workshop

  • East End Film society 

Additional related instruction at community college (2 hours per week)

- Must be enrolled in a class related to the Occupational track to supplement their learning (accounting, business, or specialized technical training that is not necessarily industry-specific)

Working at Oakwood Arts alongside OA staff (15 hours per week)

Tasks/work would/ could include:

  • Assisting with administrative tasks in preparation with OA JET training programs. 

  • Work at OA is directly related to their Occupation track (i.e. Photography, Film Editing, Graphic Design, Camera Operator, Production Coordinator, Producer).

  • Working on an OA production project through our work for hire program under the Direction of the creative Director of OA Productions. 

On the Job Training 

Months 4-7 of the program:

  • Working as an intern on a Union film or TV show,  in a department related to the occupation track (for the full run of the production, at least 3 months)

and / or 

Participating in an OA Productions short Film Production in a position matching their chosen Trajectory (this will include their participation in all stages of pre- and post-production, at least 3 months).

  • Depending on how many hours they are working per week, participants will also work at OA to equal their 30 hours per week. 

Months 8- 12 program:

On-the-job training at OA or at an affiliated company in creative industries:

  • Participants will be able to lead projects that come to OA Productions 

  • They will be able to serve as a program assistant or lead mentor in a program at OA related to their occupation track.

  • They would be able to take on a position in the department/career trajectory in which they served during their initial production. 

  • They will be able to take on at least three freelance jobs in their chosen career track.