In the fast-paced world of entertainment, running a venue requires juggling countless technical elements. Whether you manage a theatre, concert hall, or other space that hosts events, having the right team is crucial for your reputation and the success of your event.
One solution that can significantly enhance your venue’s operations while reducing costs is hiring a Level 3 Creative Industries Production Technician apprentice. In this blog, we’re exploring one of the key pathways that apprentices can complete on this programme, the Creative Venue Technician route.
Hiring a Creative Venue Technician Apprentice
Ideal for permanent venues like theatres, concert halls, studios, and performance spaces, Creative Venue Technician (CVT) apprentices are trained to handle the setup, operation, and maintenance of technical equipment for various productions and events.
The success of an event often hinges on the technical team running the show. Hiring a Creative Venue Technician apprentice means you have a dedicated professional handling the lighting, sound, and audio-visual components of your events. Apprentices offer a unique opportunity: they bring enthusiasm and fresh perspectives while receiving training in line with your venue’s specific needs. According to GOVUK, 86% of employers said that apprentices helped to develop relevant skills for the organisation, and to fill the skills gap.
By hiring an apprentice to support your events, you not only fill a vital role but also develop talent that understands the nuances of your venue. Apprentices receive hands-on training from your team and through structured learning with an esteemed apprenticeship training provider such as Access Industry, guaranteeing they acquire the latest, industry-relevant skills.
Investing in an apprentice allows you to mould their skills to match your venue’s needs while also benefiting from government incentives that make hiring apprentices cost-effective. This means that your venue has consistent technical support while reducing recruitment costs and improving long-term retention. In fact, as many as 85% of apprentices will stay with their employer.
Creative Venue Technician Skills
A Creative Venue Technician apprentice is equipped with an array of vital skills that are integral to the success of events. Throughout their training, apprentices gain a range of skills, including:
- Lighting and sound design: Apprentices learn how to design and manage sound systems and lighting setups tailored to specific events.
- Stage management: From setting up equipment to managing backstage operations, apprentices are trained to ensure every aspect of your event runs smoothly.
- Technical problem-solving: Events can be unpredictable, so apprentices are trained to think on their feet, identifying and solving problems quickly to minimise downtime.
- Health and safety: Safety is paramount in any venue, and apprentices are trained to follow regulations to keep your customers and staff safe.
Creative Venue Technician Apprentice Salary
One of the key benefits of hiring an apprentice is the cost-effectiveness of their salary. Apprentices typically start at a lower wage than fully qualified technicians, with salary rates varying based on age and other factors. However, this doesn’t mean compromising on quality. Apprentices are paid for their time while receiving valuable on-the-job training that turns them into competent professionals.
Currently, In the UK, apprentice wages can start from as little as £6.40 per hour (for those aged 16 to 18, or 19 and over in their first year) and can rise as they progress through their apprenticeship. Many venues take advantage of government incentives, which further reduce the financial burden of hiring.
Additionally, investing in an apprentice Creative Venue Technician can reduce the cost of outsourcing technical support for every event, allowing you to build an in-house team that is both skilled and budget-friendly.
8 Reasons to Hire an Apprentice Technician
- Tailored skill development: Apprentices are trained to meet the specific technical needs of your venue, ensuring a perfect fit for your unique events.
- Cost-effective staffing: As apprentices are typically entry level professionals, their salary is lower. This is an ideal solution for filling key technical roles, with government funding such as the apprenticeship levy available to support training.
- Fresh energy & innovation: Bring new perspectives and creative ideas to your team, with apprentices trained in the latest industry techniques.
- In-house expertise: Gain in-house technical support for sound, lighting, and staging, reducing reliance on external contractors.
- Long-term investment: Apprentices grow with your business, becoming skilled, loyal employees who understand your venue’s operations inside out.
- Hands-on learning: Your apprentice will acquire practical, real-world experience while contributing to the seamless execution of your events.
- Adaptability & problem-solving: Apprentices are quick to find solutions in fast-paced environments and are trained to deal with high-pressure situations.
- Boosted reputation: Show your commitment to developing local talent, and enhancing your venue’s reputation as a forward-thinking, community-driven organisation.
Music Apprenticeship Training Providers
If you’re a concert hall or host live music events and are looking to bring on an apprentice, you’re in the right place. Access Industry, part of the Access Education Group, is a trusted apprenticeship training provider. As the largest independent training provider in the UK, we work closely with music venues and live event spaces to ensure your apprentice’s training is tailored to meet your unique needs, helping you develop a skilled entry-level professional.
Through our strong industry connections, we also provide opportunities for your apprentice to gain real-world experience at major music festivals such as Reading, Leeds, Latitude, and more. Our passionate and experienced trainers stay ahead of the latest industry trends, ensuring your apprentice receives the highest quality, up-to-date training.
Working with an apprenticeship training provider with proven expertise in working with businesses like yours is crucial. Access Industry is committed to supporting your venue with tailored training solutions, helping you benefit from talent that drives the success of your events.
Event Apprenticeship Training Providers
Just as important as music-specific skills are broader event management and technical skills, especially for multi-purpose venues. Event apprenticeship training providers prepare apprentices for a range of technical responsibilities they will face in live event settings, from lighting rigging to sound desk operation and everything in between.
Whether your venue hosts theatre productions, conferences, or corporate events, a well-trained apprentice can handle the technical aspects. Apprentices learn to manage different types of events, ensuring that every detail, from sound checks to lighting cues, is perfect. Event apprenticeship training providers not only teach technical skills but also emphasise communication and teamwork, building their equally as important softer skills, so your apprentice becomes an integral part of your venue’s event staff.
Event Technician Training
The complexity of modern live events means that the demand for highly trained event technicians is higher than ever. Event technician training focuses on equipping apprentices with the skills they need to manage elements that ensure an event’s success, such as audio-visual systems, lighting rigs, and digital media equipment.
Your apprentice will have the ability to set up, rig, operate, maintain and repair technical equipment used in creative venues. They will also learn to read and interpret technical event information, as well as how to safely use a variety of tools to assemble, install and maintain scenery and equipment for stage and screen.
Having a skilled apprentice on hand means your venue can handle increasingly complex events without needing to rely on expensive external contractors.
What Does a Venue Technician Do?
Creative venue technicians become competent in stagecraft techniques, for example operating stage machinery, performing scene changes and carpentry. This allows them to set up, rig, operate, maintain and carry out basic repairs of technical equipment used in creative venues.
In their day-to-day role, apprentices engage with a variety of different stakeholders. Technicians collaborate with various partners and professionals, including but not limited to venue staff, freelancers, touring crew, technicians from various disciplines, production managers, performers, and community groups, as well as stage management, costume teams, designers, and producers. They also interact with clients, presenters, front-of-house managers, audiences, and the general public.
Your apprentice will take ownership of delivering precise, high-quality work. While they’ll often work independently and within a team, they’ll be supported by a supervisor or manager and may assist junior colleagues along the way. Technicians are hands-on problem solvers, always looking for ways to streamline processes and enhance efficiency. Safety and attention to detail are key, particularly in fast-paced, ever-changing environments. After completing core training, your apprentice will specialise in either the Live Event Technician or Creative Venue Technician pathway, ensuring they meet the specific needs of their chosen role.
Hire an event technician apprentice with Access Industry
If you need more staff at your venue, Access Industry can help. Book a consultation with our team to hire an apprentice that fits your team, your venue and your future business plans!
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