The International Association of Theatrical Stage Electricians (IATSE) apprenticeship program varies from local chapter to local chapter. There is a movement underway to have an industry governing body (probably Entertainment Services & Technology Association, ESTA) to establish a compentency rating system to deal with the lack of personnel certification standards across the industry. They are discussing a certification for electricians, riggers, and a core program for general technicians. One of the problems right now is that IATSE serves theatre, convention, rigging, makeup, costumes, props, film, television, pyrotechnics, truckloading... (you get the idea) depending on the different cities that the local covers.
