The Excellence Academy: Gaining Skills Through Internal Training Programs

What is the Excellence Academy? 

The Excellence Academy at Centrifuge Media is a comprehensive training program designed to equip employees with the necessary skills to handle the company’s range of audiovisual, production gear, creative techniques, and strategic event communications. This training aligns the team with Centrifuge-specific techniques, to maintain continuity onsite at events. By providing hands-on experience with the equipment and methods employees will use in real-world settings, the program enhances professional development and personal growth. Certification in “Essentials, Adavanced, and Expert” not only enhances technical knowledge but also cultivates a unified approach, ensuring that all team members are prepared for success in future events and projects.  In this article, an event coordinator shares their reflections, key takeaways, and benefits gained from The Excellence Academy.

PROGRAM GOALS

• Develop a well-rounded team – Broaden expertise across various essential areas

• Gain Confidence in New Skills – Provide tools and support for confident learning

• Explore Interests at an Individual Pace – Allow personalized and enjoyable learning experiences

Training Session 01 – Essentials Audio 

Reflections on the Initial Experience and First Impressions

Starting my journey with the Essentials Audio Certification was a great opportunity for growth. While I had some prior experience with audio equipment, I wanted to refresh my knowledge and ensure I was fully confident in operating the audio board. Training with a certified expert made the process more insightful and engaging. 

Key Takeaways 

• The importance of revisiting familiar equipment to deepen understanding and improve skills. 
• The structured training with emphasized hands-on practice and assessment was instrumental in reinforcing my knowledge. 

Benefits Gained

• Developed a stronger grasp of troubleshooting techniques and audio operations. 
• Boosted my confidence in managing the audio board during live events. 

Training Session 02 – Essentials & Advanced Lighting 

Reflections on the Initial Experience and First Impressions 

The combination of Essentials and Advanced Lighting training was both engaging and creatively stimulating. Although I had some exposure to lighting gear, the formal training provided a structured understanding and introduced new techniques for controlling and mixing colors effectively. 

Key Takeaways 

• Essentials lighting focused on basic equipment, such as uplights and manual color mixing. 
• Advanced lighting training covered control board operations, color combinations, and time/speed controls.

Benefits Gained

• Enhanced my creativity in designing dynamic lighting effects for various atmospheres. 
• Gained hands-on experience using a lighting control board to manage intricate lighting sequences. 

Training Session 03 – Small/Medium Projection 

Reflections on the Initial Experience and First Impressions

The Small/Medium Projection certification felt essential for managing smaller-scale events. The training thoroughly covered how to properly set up and align projections, utilizing tools like keystone and corner correction to ensure high-quality displays. 

Key Takeaways 

• Learned how to accurately line up projections for professional-grade displays. 
• Gained confidence in efficiently navigating projector settings and functions. 

Benefits Gained

• Improved my ability to handle projection setups in Ad Board and breakout room settings. 
• Received positive feedback from the trainer, reinforcing my readiness for future projection needs. 

Training Session 04 – Decimators 

Reflections on the Initial Experience and First Impressions

The decimators training presented a unique challenge. Understanding how to utilize multiple decimators without overcomplicating the setup required a solid grasp of different signal paths and connections. 

Key Takeaways 

• Gained insight into various decimators and their specific applications. 
• Developed problem-solving skills in optimizing signal paths for efficiency. 

Benefits Gained

• Enhanced my ability to select the most appropriate decimator for diverse setups. 
• Improved my technical proficiency with signal routing and device connections. 

Training Session 05 – Virtual Ad Board 

Reflections on the Initial Experience and First Impressions

As virtual meetings are integral to our operations, the Virtual Ad Board certification offered valuable insights into the hardware setup and Zoom configurations necessary for these events. Mastering the intricacies of Zoom was initially challenging, but the training sessions significantly boosted my confidence. 

Key Takeaways 

• Recognized the importance of minor details in Zoom settings, such as ensuring audio is shared during screen sharing. 
• Familiarized myself with the specific gear required for virtual meetings. 

Benefits Gained

• Gained confidence in setting up and troubleshooting virtual meetings. 
• Developed a keen eye for detail, ensuring a high-quality virtual event experience.  

Conclusion 

My journey through the certifications in the Excellence Academy has been a rewarding experience, gaining not only technical skills but also a deeper understanding of the company’s equipment and operations. By going through the Excellence Academy, you’re able to get your hands on the gear, learn how it works, and in turn, understand why we quote those items. Centrifuge Media’s commitment to employee development through the Excellence Academy is invaluable, promoting long-term growth which is crucial for building a team of experts and providing clients with excellence.   

If you are seeking strategic event communications solutions, contact us at hello@centrifugemedia.com