Theatre Technician Apprentice
Cockburn Multi Academy Trust
Leeds (LS11 5TT)
Closes in 13 days (Thursday 5 March 2026)
Posted on 19 February 2026
Contents
Summary
This is an exciting opportunity for someone ambitious, practical and passionate about live performances to begin their career in technical theatre within Cockburn Multi-Academy Trust. Working across our Trust schools, you will support rehearsals, productions and events while completing a Production Technician (Live Events) Apprenticeship.
- Wage
-
£15,704 to £25,396.80, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Creative industries production technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday - With some weekend work may be required.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 31 March 2026
- Duration
-
1 year 9 months
- 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
You will work closely with experienced technicians and teaching staff to support students, maintain safe performance spaces and develop hands-on skills in lighting, sound, rigging and stage operations. This is a demanding but highly rewarding role for someone eager to learn, develop professionally and work as part of a creative team.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support technical set-ups and operation for rehearsals, performances and events across Trust schools
- Assist with lighting, sound, rigging and stage equipment, including get-ins and get-outs
- Willing and able to work at heights
- Supervise and support students in technical and production areas, promoting safe working practices
- Maintain equipment, report faults and help ensure production spaces are safe, secure and well organised
- Reporting any defects of any equipment and taking said equipment out of service until repaired
- To become familiar with the Health and safety at Work Act 1974
- Work collaboratively with staff, visiting companies and front-of-house teams
- Follow the Trust’s health and safety policies and always ensure industry best practice
- Attend apprenticeship training and actively engage in professional development
Where you'll work
Cockburn School Gipsy Lane
Leeds
LS11 5TT
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
THE WEST MIDLANDS CREATIVE ALLIANCE LIMITED
Training course
Creative industries production technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Interpret system specifications and drawings such as sound, lighting or video.
- Prepare system specifications and drawings.
- Use specialist software systems such as computer aided design and asset management to extract information and input basic information.
- Assemble systems to support production, live performance or events from component parts using correct tools.
- Troubleshoot and fault find issues in discrete pieces of equipment.
- Deploy, operate and maintain technical equipment and tools.
- Prepare, test, repair and maintain lighting, sound or video equipment and systems.
- Collaborate with stakeholders and adapt communication appropriately to suit the audience.
- Use digital collaboration tools to collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders.
- Direct team members taking into consideration their level of experience.
- Interpret and apply method statements in response to dynamic risk assessment to help ensure safe planning and delivery of work processes.
- Use safety and access equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions or to an alternative safe scheme of use.
- Assemble and configure structures and systems from component parts to production specification.
- Disassemble structures and systems, storing component parts and equipment safely.
- Prepare written information and reports.
- Comply with creative venue budgetary and financial management protocols.
- Undertake set and change scenes in live performance – setting and striking scenic elements under show conditions.
- Operate suspension systems.
- Undertake stage crafts such as basic scenic construction, carpentry, metalwork, stage machinery, props, scene changes, knots and terminations.
- Trouble shoot, fault find and carry out basic repairs to creative venue and production systems.
- As directed, inspect, test and maintain creative venue systems and production systems.
- Program and operate production control consoles. Undertake cueing and operation during the live performance or event.
- Trouble shoot, fault find and repair at sub assembly and component level.
- Calibrate equipment and systems to meet production requirements.
- Identify, specify and use components, systems and products applicable for the environment.
- Identify and undertake servicing requirements in line with manufacturer recommendations.
- Achieve effective network connectivity across live event systems.
- Identify required packing space for equipment and for truck packs.
- Prepare and operate lifting and ground rigging equipment.
- Program and operate lighting control systems.
- Assess and monitor power supply systems, installing wiring for practicals and equipment as required.
- Prepare, set and operate lighting equipment to create the desired effect.
- Manipulate and modify lighting, using diffusion materials, filters or reflectors to create the desired effect.
- Adapt lighting to meet short notice creative changes in the production design or script.
- Prepare and operate extra low voltage lighting equipment and systems.
- Identify the dangers and restrictions in the use of battery supplies including charging and mitigate for these.
- Interpret system specifications and drawings such as sound, lighting or video.
- Prepare system specifications and drawings.
- Use specialist software systems such as computer aided design and asset management to extract information and input basic information.
- Assemble systems to support production, live performance or events from component parts using correct tools.
- Troubleshoot and fault find issues in discrete pieces of equipment.
- Deploy, operate and maintain technical equipment and tools.
- Prepare, test, repair and maintain lighting, sound or video equipment and systems.
- Collaborate with stakeholders and adapt communication appropriately to suit the audience.
- Use digital collaboration tools to collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders.
- Direct team members taking into consideration their level of experience.
- Interpret and apply method statements in response to dynamic risk assessment to help ensure safe planning and delivery of work processes.
- Use safety and access equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions or to an alternative safe scheme of use.
- Assemble and configure structures and systems from component parts to production specification.
- Disassemble structures and systems, storing component parts and equipment safely.
- Prepare written information and reports.
Training schedule
- Creative Industries Production Technician - Live Events Technician Pathway Level 3 Standard
- Apprentices learn the skills they need on the job with the guidance of a development coach who is an expert from industry
- You’ll finish your apprenticeship with a recognised qualification, valuable industry experience, money, and substantial opportunities for promotion
Summative Portfolio:
You will be expected to deliver projects throughout the apprenticeship. Each project would involve research, knowledge and may be submitted in writing, a presentation or professional discussion.
- Duty 1: Interpret system specifications for productions, live performance and events. These systems can include sound or lighting or video
- Duty 2: Assemble and configure systems to meet the specification requirements for sound, lighting, power or video
- Duty 3: Test, troubleshoot and maintain equipment and systems
- Duty 4: Collaborate with stakeholders and work with team members
- Duty 5: Operate and maintain technical equipment
- Duty 6: Dynamically risk assess the work environment and situation. Adapt working practices to ensure the safety of self and others
- Duty 7: Disassemble and store technical equipment safely and efficiently at the end of the event, ensuring that the integrity of the components is maintained
- Duty 8: (Live Event Technician (LET)) Repair complex systems and sub-assemblies at component level
- Duty 9: (Live Event Technician (LET)) Utilise lifting and rigging equipment to set up event systems
- Duty 10: (Live Event Technician (LET)) Specify equipment and system requirements suitable for the operational environment
- Duty 11: (Live Event Technician (LET)) Prepare and pack systems for local or international transportation prior to the event
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade C/4)
- Maths (grade C/4)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Team working
- Creative
Other requirements
- Passing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
About this employer
Welcome to Cockburn Multi-academy Trust. Our vision of ‘Transformation to Excellence’ focuses on our ambition to create a group of exceptional schools that radically improve students’ life chances and our core purpose is built on high expectations and raising standards. We not only make our existing collaborations more sustainable, but also secure new collaborations.
After this apprenticeship
- To be confirmed
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
THE WEST MIDLANDS CREATIVE ALLIANCE LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000016704.
Apply now
Closes in 13 days (Thursday 5 March 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.