Monday, February 9, 2009 PTT of Florida, LLC held its first “Day of Training 2009” at the BankUnited Center located at the University of Miami.  The training was split in to three separate classes - lighting, audio and rigging. The lighting and audio classes taught basic principles and were open to any interested employee while the rigging course was available only to the more experienced employees. 

By offering free educational courses to its employees PTT is creating a labor pool of qualified and loyal employees.  Each course averaged an hour in a classroom setting and three hours of hands on training inside the arena.  The classes were given by current PTT employees. Head rigger Anthony Oropesa led the rigging class.  Glen MacArthur, lighting technician and entrepreneur, directed the lighting class and crew chief Eduardo Horta taught the audio class. 

“We offered our employees the opportunity to better themselves and the result was overwhelmingly positive.  Both the trainers and employees benefited from this experience. Everyone asked when our next Day of Training would be held,” says Maria Munro President of PTT of Florida.  This revolutionary Day of Training was Munro’s brainchild.   She has long recognized the need for qualified personnel to meet the needs of her clients.  The norm in the stagehand labor industry is for on-the-job training.  Munro provided her employees with the ability to gain knowledge in a relaxed environment from their peers.  

Seasoned stagehands enjoyed the refresher course on lighting or sound while the greener employees were grateful for the education.  The classes were stress-free but taken very seriously.  Horta and MacArthur concentrated on the basics and made sure that equipment names were no longer just words but that everyone could associate the name with the actual piece of gear.  The employees taking part in the rigging course were taught how to pull points and tie knots.  Oropesa offered the opportunity to experience up rigging as well by taking those interested out on to the beams.  Some of the employees were quick to learn that they would be better down riggers than up riggers. 

“A successful company starts with employees who take pride in what they do. The attendees of the Day of Training showed an interest in becoming more knowledgeable and therefore better employees.  The employees who took part in the training and those who were unable to attend have all made it a point to ask when the next Day of Training will be held,” said Matt Cripps the Business Manager for PTT of Florida. “I am confident that holding these training sessions will be beneficial for our clients and give PTT of Florida an edge up on the competition.”