Students are required to develop a training program designed for festival management staff, demonstrating appropriate strategies for the management and motivation of Festival Employees or Volunteers

Effectively training festival volunteers can be a complex process. Three key steps in that process are set out below:

1.ORIENTATION

The orientation or induction of volunteers is an essential part of the training process. If carried out effectively, it will prepare volunteers to commence in their volunteering roles, provide them with confidence and hopefully, a degree of excitement about what is to come.

It should provide volunteers with:

• Background information about the organisation.
• Codes of conduct.
• Essential information about the festival including the specific goals of the festival.
• Detailed information about how their volunteering role should contribute to festival goals.
• Where they can go for information, advice, or assistance.
• Information about financial issues including how to obtain reimbursements for legitimate expenditure.
• Any additional expectations in terms of communication and other behaviours while working at the festival.

Orientation also provides an opportunity to thank volunteers for making themselves available and putting in the effort to assist with the running of the festival.

2. JOB TRAINING

The quality of job training for volunteers is likely to be a key determinant of their performance. The training needs to be structured around the specific tasks that are performed by volunteers, as well as performance expectations. The program should seek input from key festival stakeholders and encourage questions from the volunteers.

The training program also provides an opportunity for volunteers to get to know each other. This will provide them with the basis for working effectively and cooperatively with each other.

The program should provide volunteers with:

• An understanding of key tasks and deadlines for completion.
  • These will vary depending upon the event
• Relevant timetables
• Event schedules
• Information about equipment and tools that will be utilised.
• Details about how those tools and equipment are to be used.
• Comprehensive health and safety information and regulations.
  • Particularly important in terms of the use of tools and equipment
• A communication plan that involves interaction with:
  • Attendees
  • Performers
  • Vendor
  • Sponsors
  • Event employees.
• Details regarding food, conveniences, etc.
  • The key aim in this regard is to make the volunteering experience pleasant and stress free
• Information about the venue, including venue access.
  • Festival volunteers require a sound understanding of their workplace and need to be able to pass on relevant venue information to attendees.

3. FOLLOW-UP TRAINING AND DEPLOYMENT OF FESTIVAL VOLUNTEERS

Understanding what various volunteers are likely to be good at and what areas they are suited for should be developed during orientation and job training.

• Developing an appreciation of the specific strengths of volunteers facilitates the successful and appropriate assignment of tasks.
• Follow-up training can then be designed to address the more specific requirements of actual roles and job tasks.