Hone your high-demand creative industry skills with upcoming training opportunities

Hawai‘i residents are invited to hone their creative industry skills — which are in high-demand — with two production courses set for spring 2026.

Participants in the Foundational Safety course will learn specialized protocols, proficiencies and on-set practices for working with scaffolding, aerial lifts, forklifts and more — all key to supporting various production needs and obtaining related unionized jobs in the industry.

Space is limited. Registration is open through Dec. 19 for Level 1 training that begins Jan. 12, 2026, at Honolulu Community College. Level 2 training will follow.

The training is offered through the Good Jobs Hawai‘i initiative at University of Hawai‘i community colleges in collaboration with Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism Creative Industries Division.

“Accessing high-paying union jobs in the creative industries often requires certain certifications and trade fundamentals that can be challenging to navigate for potential candidates,” said Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism Director James Kunane Tokioka in the training announcement.

Level 1 training consists of five courses with 72 hours of instruction including:

• Scaffolding Erection.
• Fall Protection.
• Aerial Lifts.
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration 10.
• CPR/First Aid/AED certifications.

Once the first course bundle is successfully completed, an interview with a local entertainment industry partner will be scheduled. If the participant is subsequently hired, union membership in the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees commences after 30 days of employment.

The employee will then be funded to progress to Level 2, including scaffolding use and telehandler certification.

Instruction is offered during a variety of days and times to maximize community accessibility.

Fully trained and employed unionized workers can expect to earn between $50 and $150 per hour.

“Foundational safety is at the cornerstone of every film production and live stage show,” said Creative Industries Division Chief Officer Georja Skinner in the announcement. “As we continue our collaboration with Good Jobs Hawai‘i, our community is tapping into the kinds of training that can be truly life-changing, generating wages that reflect their sought-after skills and strengthening our collective creative economy.”

Course dates for Foundation Safety Level 1 are Jan. 12-Feb. 7, 2026. Tuition is $1,610. Level 2 tuition is $465.

Eligible students can qualify to receive 100% tuition support. Visit the Good Jobs Hawaiʻi website or email to goodjobs@hawaii.edu with any questions, to apply and learn more.

A variety of free and low-cost training classes also are available to explore throughout fields — such as education, technology, skilled trades and health care — that can help open doors to jobs, paid internships and apprenticeships.

More than 6,000 residents throughout the state have enrolled in specialized training classes since 2023 with the launch of Good Jobs Hawai‘i.

“We are providing a pathway forward to the relevant resources and training that opens up these professional opportunities, setting the stage for tangible, real-world job offers,” Tokioka said.