The State Assembly recently voted 73-0 to approve legislation by Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra (D-Pacoima) and Majority Leader Ian Calderon (D-Whittier) to increase funding for entertainment industry student job-training programs.

AB 1664 will create hands-on training programs for high school and community college students that are run by entertainment unions. Bocanegra authored the California Film Tax Credit, which created thousands of new entertainment industry jobs.

“When I authored the Film Tax Credit, the most important thing that I focused on was returning good-paying jobs to California and stimulating our local economies, where filming takes place,” Bocanegra said. “However, since the program has proven successful and jobs have returned to the Golden State, we need to make sure we have a well-trained workforce ready to assume those jobs.”

The program requires high school and college credit recipients to participate in a career-based learning program developed by the Film Commission and statewide education agencies. Workforce development programs help create a pool of talent at the community college-level or at the late stages of high school. A program is currently available for students at West Los Angeles Community College, where students learn specialized craft and trade skills.

“AB 1664 will provide the next generation much needed opportunities to access job training and development programs, and ultimately help them become part of a thriving middle class,” Calderon said. “While maintaining and increasing film production in California is essential to our economy, it’s critical that we prepare our youth to take on these good paying, middle-class jobs in the entertainment industry.”

Since the implementation of the new film tax credit program, over 15,000 Californians have been employed as behind-the-camera crew members on film and television sets throughout the state.

“These job-training programs help train our youth and ease them in their transition into employment in the entertainment industry,” said Thom Davis, second vice president of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts. “The Film Tax Credit has increased union membership and it is vital that members have the proper training on the movie set.”

The legislation now heads to the Senate for consideration.