Rental companies wishing to participate in the 2024 PERG EWI program are coming up on the final deadline. Grants will only be available for a few more weeks, until November 29th. Companies are urged to apply by completing a simple online form during the next two weeks. Completing the application does not commit you to anything, it is just a necessary preliminary step to get you in the system and, if you want, it can bring EWI Program resources to aid in finding you a suitable new employee.
Despite slow business, the 2024 EWI Program has been successful in its mission of helping rental companies to hire and train people from diverse backgrounds. The PERG program, which is sponsored by Netflix, pays all employee salary and payroll expenses for the first six months of employment. Participating companies provide the trainees with a diverse range of experiences, working and observing how rental companies serve clients.
So far this year, four rental companies have stepped up to partner in EWI, ARRI (LA), Becine (LA), Lux Lighting (New York), and Serious Grippage (Albuquerque). At the outset of their employment, trainees are asked to set specific goals for technical skills, soft skills, and networking and define how they will know when they have achieved those goals. As some of our candidates hit their halfway point, they have been hitting many of the goals they set at the beginning and are setting new goals. EWI Coordinator, Alison Cupples, reflects that “watching these candidates achieve their goals ahead of schedule and grow into integral parts of their team at each rental house has been incredibly rewarding. Our industry is built on mentorship and networking which are pillars of the EWI program. Only 3 months in our candidates are connecting with local union leaders, filmmakers, and gaining insight into how and why decisions are made at rental houses and on set.” As our candidates get involved with planning industry events at their rental houses they see the importance of the rental company’s role within the production community. The new employees have shown that they care about their work and are finding it rewarding to work with their teams.
All the participating companies are very happy with their hires. Trainees report gains weekly. For example, one trainee reported paying attention to the detail of client preferences and understanding how it affects their job. Another trainee prepped a truck for a rental and had the opportunity to jump on set with the same truck the next day giving her hands on experience with exactly why items should be packed in a certain way. Another trainee reports learning all about subrentals one week. She has gotten so good with the gear menus and accessories that she familiarizes other employees and has been assigned the task of processing newly acquired gear into their inventory system, which involves problem solving and reallocating warehouse space. In addition to the valuable experiences at their respective rental houses, the candidates have the opportunity to learn about a new camera in a PERG EWI Coffee Break hosted by Sony, and its specific place in the market. (PERG has hosted seven EWI Coffee Breaks so far with more to come. See EWI Coffee Breaks elsewhere in this Newsletter).
The program launched at NAB in April. Eight grants allocated for EWI 2024, four or which have been awarded. The lack of production has made it difficult for many companies to think about hiring. Consequently, four grants remain available to PERG members as the award period reaches its end. Companies can still take advantage of the program companies if they move quickly and get their application completed within the next couple weeks and work to hire before December.
