ATG to Develop Apprenticeship Trailblazer Standard

A group of employers chaired by John Young, Head of Technical Services at Ambassador Theatre Group, has been awarded the opportunity to develop a new Trailblazer Apprenticeship Standard as part of the reformed apprenticeship programme introduced by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Trailblazers Phase 5 will see the development of the Creative Venue Technician Standard, a two-year Level 3 apprenticeship for budding theatre and performance venue technicians. The Standard will be written by the Trailblazer consortium - allowing the employers themselves to tailor both the vocational and academic elements to their specific requirements; guiding subsequent training provision for the Industry.

The Trailblazer will be created and refined over the next year - ready for delivery from September 2016. Consortium members include: ATG, The National Theatre, Really Useful Group, The Royal Opera House, English National Opera and White Light with support from CC Skills, The Association of British Theatre Technicians and entertainment industry union BECTU.

John Young said: "We are delighted to have been empowered to set the standard for apprenticeship training in our sector. The continuing growth of Theatre and its associated industries creates more and more pressure on employers to recruit staff with the right skillsets. The Creative Venue Technician apprenticeship will give us the tools to do just that."

The Minister for Skills, Nick Boles, said: "Businesses must have their say in training tomorrow's workforce. Giving employers like Ambassador Theatre Group the power to design apprenticeships means apprentices graduate with the skills they need for the job they want and businesses get the talent they need to grow. Young people on these programmes will have the opportunity to learn sought-after skills and enjoy a great start to a working life."