ESD, NBCUniversal unveil NYS's first entertainment industry workforce development partnership

Partnership builds on NBCUniversal’s workforce programs in state, will increase career opportunities on New York productions

Empire State Development Press Release

Empire State Development (ESD) and NBCUniversal have announced a new partnership designed to grow below-the-line career opportunities in the entertainment industry for New Yorkers.

Graduates from programs funded by the state’s Career Readiness Entertainment Workforce (CREW) Diversity Grant program, providing financial assistance in the form of grants for job training programs focused on geographic and economic diversity, will have an opportunity to participate in the company’s below-the-line traineeship and work on NBCUniversal television productions filming in the state. This paid traineeship will give students and early career workforce an opportunity to gain the skills and hands-on experience needed to work on New York productions, strengthening the state’s film and television production industry.

The partnership was announced by ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight at the seventh New York State Multicultural Creativity Summit.

Knight said, "The film and television industry is more than just a contributor to New York state’s economy – it’s a driving force for future growth and innovation. By investing in workforce training programs, we're not just creating jobs; we're building careers and ensuring our students can seamlessly transition into positions that power this vital industry. We are proud to partner with NBCUniversal on this new effort to support these valuable programs that will support this important industry."

Universal Studio Group Chairman Pearlena Igbokwe said, “NBCUniversal has a long and successful history of cultivating talent and providing them with access to opportunities in television in front of and behind the camera. Below-the-line roles are a major focus of our training and development efforts, and we are pleased to collaborate with Empire State Development on New York state’s first partnership in the entertainment industry to grow the pool of qualified, high-potential crew members who can be hired across our productions filming in the state.”

Created in partnership with IATSE Locals, NBCUniversal’s below-the-line traineeship provides entry-level talent with meaningful, paid, on-the-job production experience such as props, grip/electric and set lighting. This includes talent from various socioeconomic backgrounds, geographic locations, age groups, racial and ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ+ community and veterans, among other communities.

In this new partnership with ESD, NBCUniversal will source qualified candidates from New York state-funded programs, including The Bronx Community College (BCC) film production training program, and LaGuardia Community College’s (LaGCC) film training program, pathways to production accounting for the entertainment industry program and grip and electrical training program, and Art Craft NYC. Last year, two graduates from BCC’s film production training program were selected for roles in the grip departments on NBC’s hit series “Law & Order” and “Law & Order: SVU.” Currently, five hires from New York state-funded programs, LaGCC grip and electrical training program and Art Craft NYC, are working on “Law & Order” and Universal Television’s “The Equalizer” in the grip, set decoration and props departments.

The BCC Film Production training program served as the pilot for the state’s Entertainment Diversity Grant program and focuses on training students in the film and television industry in IATSE Local 52 trade crafts. The LaGCC film training program provides a path to employment for individuals in the film and television industry in IATSE Local 52 trade crafts such as the electrical and grip fields. The LaGCC pathways to production accounting for the entertainment industry program trains unemployed and underemployed New Yorkers for in-demand entertainment industry accounting jobs. The LaGCC grip and electrical training program trains underserved individuals in electrical, grip or property trades for employment in film and television. Art Craft NYC is a robust training program to help entry level individuals gain confidence on set and provide participants with the skills and support to become successful workers in the professional field.

NBCUniversal provides meaningful opportunities for people to gain hands-on experience in front of and behind the camera, and ultimately prepare them for careers in the industry, including on New York productions. The NBCUniversal television production opportunities are managed by NBCU LAUNCH, the umbrella brand that houses the comprehensive workforce development efforts across NBCUniversal’s entertainment television portfolio. NBCU LAUNCH works with local industry partners to identify qualified candidates who are currently pursuing vocational education and training in their desired craft in preparation for a career in television. As a leading producer of content in New York, NBCUniversal works with various nonprofit organizations to source trainees for its productions.

IATSE Local 52 President Dusty Klatt said, “As the backbone of the entertainment industry representing more than 4,500 union sound technicians, electricians, medics, grips and prop masters, we are pleased to support this partnership between New York state and NBCUniversal. It is important to ensure that the next generation of union workers have an opportunity for a meaningful career path now, and in the future.”