Hawai'i is tapping into the creative economy with new specialized training courses set for Spring 2025, aimed at ramping up the local workforce's expertise in media production. Good Jobs Hawai'i, a program established by the University of Hawai'i Community Colleges in partnership with the Hawai'i State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism's Creative Industries Division, has announced two online courses to equip residents with in-demand skills in the space., according to the Office of the Governor.
On the docket is an Accounting in Media Production Master Certification Course, which runs from January 20 to March 21, 2025, and a Fundamentals of Production Assistant certification program, from February 10 to April 4, 2025. Both courses aim to prep students for prominent roles in the industry, ranging from production accountants to vital PA work on media sets. The courses address a market need, a need underscored by television series producers in the island state for production accounting proficiency, as reported by the Office of the Governor.
"Ensuring access to proper career training and skill building is key to cultivating a thriving workforce here in Hawaiʻi," said DBEDT Director James Kunane Tokioka. Students who pass the production accounting program will receive a credential from Stage 32, an industry-recognized body. Georja Skinner, the chief officer of Creative Industries Division at DBEDT, underscored the PA's role as "an essential member of any media team," often serving as a springboard to ascending the ranks within production departments, as mentioned by the Office of the Governor.
Since its inception in 2023, Good Jobs Hawai'i has seen over 5,000 residents enroll in free skills training across sectors identified as resistant to economic downturns. These include not just creative industries but healthcare, technology, clean energy, and skilled trades. The program offers a comprehensive suite of supports, including tuition assistance, exam fee coverage, and personal guidance from a Hawai‘i Navigator – someone who ensures participants' success by providing college and career advising and helping facilitate connections with employers, as per the Office of the Governor.
These initiatives are financially backed by a combination of federal and local funds, including the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Economic Development Administration, and City and County of Honolulu. Grants from organizations like the Ascendium Education Group, Hawai‘i Community Foundation, and the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation have enabled the harmonization of these training programs with Hawaii's industry-specific needs. For more information or to apply for the upcoming courses, interested parties can visit Good Jobs Hawaiʻi.
