Apprentice

Program Summary:

The DeLong Rigging Solutions (DRS) Apprenticeship is a July – June paid training program. The first several weeks consist of a study of the history, foundations, and principles of entertainment rigging followed by hands-on training in the DRS shop. When ready, the apprentice will incrementally integrate with the DRS Crew, working in a variety of venues on a wide variety of projects. The Apprentice will gain practical, hands-on experience by learning from and working alongside some of the best riggers in the business, so by the end of the year, they are prepared to work as an entertainment rigger confident in their skills while cognizant of what they have yet to master.

Apprentice Responsibilities:

• Participate in all training opportunities, demonstrating appropriate skill mastery
• Learn industry-specific knowledge and skills to work in all areas of entertainment rigging
• Assist in the completion of daily tasks and projects as directed
• Follow instructions from supervisors, asking clarifying questions as needed
• Communicate professionally and respectfully both in writing and verbally
• Represent DRS professionally, with due regard to safety, courtesy, and integrity
• Ensure 100% compliance with safety regulations and industry standards. E.g., OSHA, ANSI
• Observe company operations, participate in company events, and comprehend the nature of the entertainment business
• Perform any other duties as assigned by supervisors

Additional Information:

• Job Title: Apprentice
• Reports to: Depending upon the task, will be working under the direct supervision of a Managing Partner, the Business Manager, or a Project Manager.
• Employment Type: Full-Time, Hourly, non-exempt
  • Guaranteed 40 hours or more per week
  • Time and a half for work over 8 hours in a day, 40 hours in a calendar week, on Saturday/Sunday, or on a major religious/federally recognized holiday.
  • Unlimited PTO available by prior arrangement
• Compensation: $15 per hour when training or in the shop; $25 an hour on jobsites for first 500 hours onsite; then $40 an hour for additional onsite hours.
• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance provided for apprentice. Mental Health care available via company provided therapist at no charge.
• Work Location: DRS shop, training locations, client sites, and company events.
• Travel: Extensive travel to training and job sites both in and out of Indiana. Travel costs are covered by DRS including hotel, transportation, and per diem.

Required qualifications of applicants:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must hold a valid driver’s license and clear motor vehicle record
• Must be able to read and write English, additional languages are a plus
• Must be legally able to work in the United States of America without visa sponsorship
• Must be comfortable climbing and working at all heights (several hundred feet sometimes!)
• Must be able to sit, walk, bend, kneel, and twist while lifting 50 pounds (reasonable accommodations made), and stand for long periods of time
• Must be able to work in a variety of weather conditions and temperatures
• Must be able to wear PPE appropriate to the task (harness, safety helmet, gloves, etc.)
• Must work in person at the DRS shop in Bloomington, IN when not assigned elsewhere
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check – we often work in schools
• Must be able to pass a drug test upon request
• Must be available for a varied schedule potentially including nights, weekends, holidays
• Must be able to fly domestically and willing to travel as needed

Application Process

Applications will be accepted between February 1st and April 1st , 2026.

Once application packets are received, the Business Manager will remove all identifying information from the packet (name, contact info, and other things that can inadvertently cause bias) and assign the packet a number. The packets will then be sorted by the Managing Partner according to qualifications. The top few applications will then be circulated amongst certain DRS staff for their ranking. The top candidate(s) will be invited to DRS for an in-person interview. A name will only be paired with the application packet once an in-person interview has been determined to be appropriate. DRS will cover all reasonable travel expenses for the in-person interview.

TO APPLY: send the following items to our Business Manager via Email:

• Letter of intent, outlining how this apprenticeship will help further your career
• Resume (not to exceed one page)

Applicants may also have a letter of recommendation sent on their behalf.

Please send all application materials to our Business Manager, Caitlyn DeLong, at caitlyn@delongriggingsolutions.com.