Summary
This role is a great fit for someone looking to develop their skills in lighting engineering while working alongside experienced professionals in a fast-paced, exciting industry. Through the apprenticeship, you will receive constant guidance and support, ensuring you’re equipped to handle everything from basic setup to more complex maintenance and repairs.
Essential skills required:
- Strong attention to detail and a keen interest in lighting technology.
- Good communication and teamwork skills, with a professional and friendly attitude.
- Willingness to learn new systems and technologies, particularly Avolites and ETC consoles.
- Ability to handle and care for complex and valuable equipment.
- Reliable timekeeping and a proactive approach to tasks.
Responsibilities:
Warehouse Technician:
- Assist in preparing outgoing lighting and special effects as well as helping other departments when needed.
- Help label and pack flight cases, ensuring all lighting equipment is checked and ready for deployment.
- Support with scanning, cleaning, testing, and maintaining incoming lighting gear, ensuring fixtures and consoles are in top condition for the next hire or event.
- Perform regular service checks and maintenance on all lighting equipment, keeping track of any repairs needed.
- Aid in stock management, repairs, and periodical safety testing (including PAT and LOLER testing).
- Load and unload vehicles with equipment, ensuring safe handling.
- Report any lighting equipment defects or issues to the warehouse manager.
Onsite Technician:
Once you’ve demonstrated proficiency in the warehouse, you’ll have opportunities to work onsite:
- Assist in derigging equipment after events, including the safe packing and transport of kit.
- Set up lighting equipment at events, learning basic cable management, rigging techniques, and how to configure equipment such as lighting stands and fixtures.
- Shadow senior lighting engineers, gaining experience with Avolites and ETC consoles during live events. You’ll assist with programming, running, and troubleshooting equipment, with opportunities to learn fixture features on site in a live setting.
Equipment Maintenance:
- Take responsibility for ensuring all lighting fixtures are regularly maintained and serviced to ensure optimal performance.
- Assist with diagnosing and repairing technical issues with both lighting fixtures and consoles.
- Learn about the latest lighting technologies and safety standards through hands-on experience and independent learning.
Henley Theatre Services (HTS) is a leading event production supplier, offering technical equipment, services, and support for festivals, concerts, corporate events, and special occasions. We specialise in providing bespoke solutions for hire, production, sales, design, and installation across multiple disciplines, including sound, lighting, video, power, staging, and roof structures. Founded in 2001 and based in Henley-on-Thames, HTS’s roots are in theatre, and we’ve grown to support a broad range of performance arts and iconic events across the UK.
We pride ourselves on maintaining high-quality equipment, which includes Avolites and ETC lighting consoles, and our fixture inventory predominantly features Robe and ETC. These systems require regular servicing and maintenance, providing an excellent opportunity to learn how to maintain industry-standard lighting systems.
As an apprentice, you will receive thorough training and hands-on guidance from senior staff, particularly in the areas of lighting equipment maintenance, testing, and operation. Whether it’s understanding complex lighting consoles, servicing fixtures, or conducting safety tests, you will always be supported by experienced members of the team to ensure you develop the skills necessary to excel in the field.
This is an exciting chance for someone interested in the behind-the-scenes operations of live events, particularly lighting technology. If you’re technically minded and passionate about learning, this apprenticeship will offer you insight into the inner workings of professional event production and the skills necessary to maintain and operate lighting equipment at the highest standards.