Apprentice - Prop Maker

The National Theatre

LONDON (SE1 9PX)

Closes on Tuesday 16 June 2026

Posted on 11 May 2026

---

Summary

The Props Workshop makes props for the National Theatre’s shows and events.The apprentice will primarily be working on furniture props, but a wider supporting skill set will be taught.

Full job description available : https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/learn-explore/skills-centre/apprenticeships/

• Wage:

  £30,784 a year

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  £14.80 based on London Living Wage

• Training course: Furniture making operative (level 2)
• Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am- 5:30pm, with 1 hour for lunch Additional hours may be required.

  40 hours a week

• Start date:

  Monday 31 August 2026

• Duration:

  2 years

• Positions available:

  1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

• Under the direction of NT Staff, make, repair, and refurbish a wide range of furniture props, as well as experiencing a wider set of prop making skills. Working from designs, working drawings, and models, and with instructions from Designers, Production Managers, Workshop Supervisors and the Props Workshop Manager and senior props staff
• Attend dress rehearsals of shows that you have worked on
• Work to agreed deadlines, consulting at all times with the Props Workshop Manager
• Work on stage when required, installing, and repairing props and set dressing
• Participate in safety checks, and weekly planning meetings
• Maintain high standards of operations and good housekeeping in the workshop
• Participate in the provision of a safe working environment, acting within the company’s Health & Safety policy at all times
• Participate in other training as necessary and appropriate, including visiting other workplaces on placement
• Carry out any other reasonable duties as requested by the Props Workshop Manager, or the Workforce Development Manager
• You will be supported at the NT by a dedicated team

Where you'll work

ROYAL NATIONAL THEATRE
UPPER GROUND
LONDON
SE1 9PX

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

WEBS TRAINING LIMITED

Training course

Furniture making operative (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Read and interpret job specifications, technical drawings or information for furniture making activity.
• Plan furniture making activity including timescales for completion, and organise materials and resources.
• Prepare and maintain the work area.
• Apply safe systems of working including risk assessment.
• Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
• Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
• Follow workplace operating procedures.
• Store tools and equipment.
• Select tools, equipment, and machinery for furniture making activity.
• Apply first line maintenance of, tools, equipment, and machinery. For example, checking tool condition, cleaning, lubrication, visual inspection, tool calibration.
• Set up and operate furniture making machinery.
• Identify and select materials used in furniture making.
• Apply preparation techniques to materials.
• Prepare and use jigs and templates used in the work activity. Check jigs and templates for damage.
• Measure and mark out materials including measurement tool calibration checks.
• Manufacture furniture components including cutting and shaping.
• Apply jointing techniques to produce furniture components.
• Assemble and secure furniture components in position, for example clamping and gluing techniques.
• Attach furniture fittings and fixtures.
• Carry out rectification, repair and rework of manufactured furniture.
• Follow quality assurance processes.
• Pack and store components and products.
• Record furniture making activity information - paper based or electronic.
• Apply basic continuous improvement techniques. For example, lean manufacturing, six sigma, 5S and KAIZEN.
• Apply team working principles.
• Apply escalation procedures in relation to faults or issues.
• Follow equity, diversity and inclusion rules.
• Communicate verbally with colleagues and supervisors.
• Communicate in writing with colleagues and supervisors using industry terminology electronically or paper based.
• Use information technology and digital systems. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
• Undertake and record learning and development activities.
• Read and interpret job specifications, technical drawings or information for furniture making activity.
• Plan furniture making activity including timescales for completion, and organise materials and resources.
• Prepare and maintain the work area.
• Apply safe systems of working including risk assessment.
• Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
• Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
• Follow workplace operating procedures.
• Store tools and equipment.
• Select tools, equipment, and machinery for furniture making activity.
• Apply first line maintenance of, tools, equipment, and machinery. For example, checking tool condition, cleaning, lubrication, visual inspection, tool calibration.
• Set up and operate furniture making machinery.
• Identify and select materials used in furniture making.
• Apply preparation techniques to materials.
• Prepare and use jigs and templates used in the work activity. Check jigs and templates for damage.
• Measure and mark out materials including measurement tool calibration checks.
• Manufacture furniture components including cutting and shaping.
• Apply jointing techniques to produce furniture components.
• Assemble and secure furniture components in position, for example clamping and gluing techniques.
• Attach furniture fittings and fixtures.
• Carry out rectification, repair and rework of manufactured furniture.
• Follow quality assurance processes.
• Pack and store components and products.
• Record furniture making activity information - paper based or electronic.
• Apply basic continuous improvement techniques. For example, lean manufacturing, six sigma, 5S and KAIZEN.
• Apply team working principles.
• Apply escalation procedures in relation to faults or issues.
• Follow equity, diversity and inclusion rules.
• Communicate verbally with colleagues and supervisors.
• Communicate in writing with colleagues and supervisors using industry terminology electronically or paper based.
• Use information technology and digital systems. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
• Undertake and record learning and development activities.

Training schedule

At Webs Training Ltd in 

• You will study a Level 2 Standard as a Furniture Making Operative
• You will also be required to produce a portfolio as part of your course, which the NT will support you with
• ·Webs Training Ltd are based at The Poplars, Wollaton Road, Beeston, Nottingham, NG9 2PD

More training information

• Time at college will be in 5 x 1-week blocks (spent in Nottingham). The NT will cover reasonable travel and accommodation costs for the time you are at college
• You will be supported in passing functional skills in English or Maths if you need to take them

Requirements

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• Organisation skills
• Problem solving skills
• Team working
• Initiative
• Good timekeeping
• Enjoys making things
• Interest in carpentry

Other requirements

• Ability to follow Health and Safety requirements and un derstand why they are important
• Willing to travel to college
• Interst in sustainable theatre 
• Full job description available : https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/learn-explore/skills-centre/apprenticeships/

About this employer

The National Theatre (NT) makes theatre that entertains and inspires using its creativity, expertise and unique reach.

World-leading artists make their best work at the NT with the widest possible audience and impact

A registered charity with deeply embedded social purpose, the NT works with hundreds of schools and communities across the UK to spark imagination and inspire creativity, and to develop skills and pathways for careers in theatre.  

Our key objectives as we look to the next five years are towards economic, environmental and social sustainability, upholding a culture that aims to take care of our people and the wider world. 

https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/learn-explore/skills-centre/apprenticeships/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

• 25 days annual leave increasing up to 32 with length of service (plus bank holidays)
• On-site occupational health support
• Volunteer leave – one paid day per year
• Staff networks and communities

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

As a skilled prop maker, we would expect there to be good opportunities for further work in the sector on finishing.

Visit https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/learn-explore/skills-centre/apprenticeships/ for full job description, requirements and further career ideas. 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

WEBS TRAINING LIMITED

apprenticeshipenquiries@nationaltheatre.org.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000029891.

Apply now

Closes on Tuesday 16 June 2026

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.