The content of this Pathway has been agreed by Creative and Cultural Skills. This is the only Apprenticeship Pathway in the Creative, Design and Media sector approved for use in Wales that is eligible for Medr funding. FR03462 version 2 01/08/2024
Learning Programme Content
The Learning Programme provision shall comprise of three mandatory elements:
Qualifications,
Essential Skills
On/off the job training
The total minimum credit value required for the Level 3 Pathways in Technical Theatre Support (Lighting, Sound and Stage) is 60 credits.
Entry requirements
Employers are looking to widen the pool of potential recruits into Technical Theatre to give more opportunity to individuals to get their foot in the door of the industry.
They are particularly interested in those who:
show a keen interest in working in backstage roles
understand the importance of working in teams and are willing to work shifts.
Please note: Technician roles will often require manual handling and may also involve work at heights, in cramped conditions.
Applicants may have prior experience or qualifications in any of the creative industries or technical support roles, supported by a portfolio of evidence, but this is not mandatory as training providers and employers will use initial assessment to ensure that applicants have a fair opportunity to demonstrate their ability. Programmes will then be tailored to meet individual needs, recognising prior qualifications and experience.
Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)
Level 3: Technical Theatre Support (Lighting, Sound and Stage)
Level 3: Technical Theatre Support (Lighting, Sound and Stage) Qualifications
Participants must achieve the following competence and knowledge qualifications below.
| BIIAB Level 3 Certificate in Technical Theatre (Sound, Light and Stage) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| BIIAB | C00/4940/9 | 30 | 300 | Competence | English Only |
| Level 3 Award in the Principles of the Cultural Heritage Sector | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| BIIAB | C00/0712/4 | 15 | 150 | Knowledge | English Only |
Essential Skills Wales (ESW)
| Level 3: Technical Theatre Support (Lighting, Sound and Stage) | Level | Minimum Credit Value |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 2 | 6 |
| Application of number | 2 | 6 |
| Digital literacy | 2 | 6 |
Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh
On/Off the Job training
| Pathway | Minimum On the Job Training Hours | Minimum Off the Job Training Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level 3: Technical Theatre Support (Lighting, Sound and Stage) | 183 | 267 |
Level 3 Certificate in Technical Theatre (Sound, Light and Stage) – 30 Credits
Level 3 Award in the Principles of the Cultural Heritage Sector – 15 Credits
Total On and off the job training hours is 450 for the 18 month programme
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy
Other additional requirements
Please note: Technician roles will often require manual handling and may involve working at heights, in cramped conditions.
Progression
Level 3: Technical Theatre (Lighting, Sound and Stage)
Progression into the Level 3 in Technical Theatre
This can be from a variety of routes including:
- Foundation Apprenticeship in Technical Theatre
- Welsh Baccalaureate Principal Learning Qualification in Creative & Media
- General or vocational qualifications related to or relevant for the creative and cultural industries
Progression from the Apprenticeship Jobs
Specific roles which might lead on from these pathways include:
- Lighting: Lighting Technician (or Lead Lighting Technician)
- Sound: Sound Technician (or Lead Sound Technician)
- Stage : Stage Technician(or Lead Stage Technician), Head Flyman
Following a period of working within the same role and the development of additional skills either at a higher level or at the same level; Senior Sound Technician, Senior Stage Technician, Head Flyman.
And with further development and training, potential jobs may include, for example, a Technical Manager or Stage Manager.
FE/HE
For those who wish to continue their development of skills and qualifications beyond level 3, opportunities exist to undertake higher qualifications such as:
- HDN/HNC Theatre Electrics
- After further development and training possibly a Foundation degree in Technical Theatre
- Level 4/5 qualifications in Management
Other vocational qualifications related to or relevant for the creative and cultural industries.
Equality and diversity
It is important that apprenticeship Pathways are inclusive and can demonstrate an active approach to identifying and removing barriers to entry and progression. Pathways should advance equality of opportunity between persons who share protected characteristics and those persons who do not as identified in the Equality Act 2010.
The Protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act are age, disability, gender re-assignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity. Marriage and civil partnership is also included although only in respect of the requirement to eliminate discrimination in employment.
Training providers and employers must also comply with the other duty under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that applicants are not discriminated against in terms of entry to the industry based upon those nine protected characteristics.
Although the figures vary by region, overall the creative and cultural sector is predominantly white (93%), nearly half of the workforce is under 40 years of age, male and female representation is 60/40% and around 13% have a disability.
Likely reasons for these imbalances are:
In order to counteract some of these issues, awareness of careers in Technical Theatre and other creative and cultural industries is being raised through:
Apprenticeships are seen as a vital route to encourage and facilitate, a greater diversity of individuals into the industry in order to challenge graduate bias at the point of entry. Entry conditions to this pathway, therefore, are extremely flexible and mentoring has been included to offer additional support and increase the chances of apprentices successfully completing the Apprenticeship.
Creative & Cultural Skills will monitor take up and achievement of all Apprenticeships through its employer led Qualifications and Apprenticeships Group and take steps to address any barriers to take up and achievement as part of our Sector Qualifications Strategy.
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Employment responsibilities and rights
Employment Responsibilities and Rights (ERR) is no longer compulsory. But it is recommended that all apprentices (especially the 16 years -18 year group) receive a company induction programme.
Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of the Training Provider and Employer to ensure that the requirements of
this pathway are delivered in accordance with the Welsh Government/Medr Apprenticeships Guidance.
Further information may be obtained from:
Medr