We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ormilla Vengersammy a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ormilla, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

At Entertainment Technology Partners, we’ve formed an educational brand, The Coil Learning Center or CoIL, which is an acronym for Continuous Improvement and Learning.

I work with a creative team of professionals to create and develop learning experiences that are offered internally to employees for their professional and personal development, and externally to clients, vendors, and the community. Our internal course tracks include classes on A/V tech skills, leadership, Office Productivity software, wellness, soft skills, and the list goes on.

Unlike traditional education that might follow a structured curriculum, at CoiL, we adapt to the learner’s specific needs. We provide training on a vast array of topics based on the skill gap of the learner, creating a more personalized learning experience.

One of the programs offered externally is the Production Bootcamps for clients and customers. This is a great example of how we adapt the curriculum to the intended participants. We ask clients and customers beforehand about what aspects of A/V technology they need to learn to help increase their confidence and understanding of the equipment when planning for a successful show. We then customize the topics based on those needs for a more impactful learning outcome. We apply the same practice to our internal programs for employees.

Other programs include the Tech Apprenticeship, Stagehand Bootcamp, FlexForce Apprenticeship Program, and the Professional Internship Program. These programs help to bridge that gap and answer the questions of how to get started in the entertainment industry. Here at CoiL, we help to connect those dots. The programs offered by CoiL help to build confidence, build skills, and find leadership qualities that prepare individuals to succeed as they start out or continue their career path.

Ormilla, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I joined The CoiL Learning Center (CoiL) five years ago as the Director of Academic Programs. As an educator, it meant a lot to me to work for a company that aligned with my values. Everyone involved in CoiL passionately embrace our values to lead modestly, teach generously, and learn intently. Whether for personal or professional growth, we believe learning never stops! I am honored to work among individuals who are creative, innovative, and eager to work on the next best thing.

I am most proud of connecting professionals, students, and local organizations with opportunities to Lead, Teach, and Learn in the events & entertainment industry. We also offer programs that reach well outside our walls that do not require the participants to stay with the company, but rather to go forward into the wider industry. Through internship and apprenticeship programs we offer students the ability to gain real world on the job experience that requires little or no industry experience. It is competitive to get into these programs because we look for individuals who are passionate, curious, and have the desire to learn new skills. This is not just a job, it’s an educational program where we provide on-the-job training and mentorship for students to help them in their career journey.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Starting my career from a structured educational system has taught me the importance of having consistency and standardization. What it has not prepared me for is to be adaptable, catering to diverse learning styles, addressing evolving technological advancements, and accommodating changing societal needs. A balance between structure and flexibility is crucial to ensure that education remains relevant, engaging, and effective for all learners. I realized the importance of tailoring instructional content to individuals’ learning needs rather than making general assumptions. In the face of diverse learning styles and individual preferences, I had to continuously evolve to cater to various learning needs. My adaptability was demonstrated by refining content delivery, adjusting explanations based on user feedback, and customizing learning paths.

As an instructional designer, it’s important to create more inclusive and effective materials for learners, minimizing biases and ensuring that the learning experience caters to a diverse audience with varying backgrounds and preferences. It’s about adapting to changing teaching methodologies, new information, and technological advancements to offer the most up-to-date educational experience possible.

My resilience was and still is evident in my persistent drive to ensure that educational content is fair, inclusive, and reflective of diverse perspectives. I incorporate a wide range of perspectives, cultures, and experiences in the educational material. This ensures that content is relatable to a diverse audience.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I truly believe in paying it forward, continuing a cycle of learning and sharing. By paying it forward, I want to contribute to a culture that values and promotes continuous learning. This I feel can have a cascading effect, encouraging more people to engage in learning and their personal development. My journey as an educator is to create an inclusive learning environment by accommodating diverse learning styles, cultural backgrounds, and abilities. I want to ensure that others feel respected and supported in their career journey regardless of their experience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.coillearningcenter.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecoillearningcenter/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecoillearningcenter/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coil-learning/

Image Credits
Images provide by The CoiL Learning Center