Illinois Film and TV Workforce Training Program Launched at SIUE
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Department of Mass Communications is lighting up new opportunities in the state’s growing film and television industry. With a supporting grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), the Department of Mass Communications is launching a Film and TV Workforce Training Program to prepare the next generation of Illinois media professionals.
The program offers paid, hands-on training inside SIUE’s newly renovated TV studio and control rooms, giving participants direct experience in production, set operations, and crew collaboration. Each 80-hour session immerses trainees in real-world production environments. These sessions equip students with the technical skills and professional connections needed to thrive in the industry.
Suman Mishra, PhD, Chair of the Department of Mass Communications and the lead on the grant, stated “This grant is an important opportunity to strengthen our department’s role as a bridge between education and community impact. The program exemplifies SIUE’s commitment to supporting Illinois’ creative economy while developing local talent."
Essential to this training program are trainers Cory Byers, MFA, Theresa Pauli, and Tom Atwood who bring extensive industry knowledge and experience to guide participants through every stage of the training.
Pauli, the Department's broadcast engineer, stated, “The training will give Illinois residents a chance to learn and expand their skill set. It will open doors to opportunities they may have only dreamed of.”
Open to Illinois residents 18 and older, the program runs in multiple sessions beginning in March 2026. Participants who complete all training hours will receive a monetary stipend.
Ready to apply? Learn more and submit your application for this paid training opportunity at SIUE's Department of Mass Communications.
PHOTO: Scenes from SIUE's newly renovated TV studio and production courses
