To support their organisation to identify costumes for short/long term performance plans and be responsible for the care, maintenance and usage of costumes, ensuring that all costume elements are at the standard of the designer’s specification.
This occupation can be found in production and technical departments of theatres, television, film, dance and fashion productions and cultural organisations. This occupation runs across a range of sectors, where a costume might be worn, such as music events, pop concerts, recitals, choirs, sports events, university events.
The duties of a costume technician can be varied due to the nature of the sector and technicians would need to be able to adapt to the requirements of the setting.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to provide support relating to the care, maintenance and dressing of cast or performers in costumes in a production environment.
The role typically involves the washing, ironing, steaming, repairing, setting, checking and dressing of costumes used on performers. They will work with a variety of other performance related departments and require a high level of understanding of the detail within work documentation to ensure continuity of costume wear - for example costume character profiles and costume plotting.
They make sure the outfits are ready for the actors and performers and help by making simple alterations, if required. Or they might be asked to collect garments and supplies or complete returns.
They are likely to help with setting up workrooms and may help with the ageing and distressing of costumes. They may be given specific responsibility for crowd fittings or packing costumes for overseas shipment to other locations or units.
This is an active role which requires technicians to be flexible and responsive to production or performance needs. For example - fastening intricate costumes, moving backstage during a performance in tight timeframes or moving costumes around.
This role can be found in a range of organisations such as theatres. They support productions such as plays, opera, ballet or musicals that can be long running or short-term productions. They can also be found at large scale events such as opening and closing ceremonies in sports, fashion shows, commercials and film and television.
They will work alongside and interact with a range of production staff such as wardrobe managers, costume supervisors, costume makers, designers, stage managers, stylists, sound departments, wigs, hair and make-up technicians, script supervisors and continuity teams. Performers such as actors, dancers, singers and models are assigned to costume technician by their supervisor to support from a costume or wardrobe perspective before, during and after the performance.
They work in organisations ranging from small to large. The nature of the creative sector means that this can vary considerably as can contract lengths.
They will work under the instruction of a supervisor and are required to follow delegated tasks completing given work independently. They will take responsibility for the costumes of an assigned group of performers or cast and their agreed costumes.
They will work as part of a team but take full responsibility for their assigned tasks. They must take into account deadlines, health and safety and professional ethics and sustainability within a specific environment and be confident in reporting any issues.
Out of hours working and travel may be required as part of the role.
This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.
An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.
Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.
The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 15 months. The EPA period is typically 3 months.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.
The gateway requirements for your EPA are:
Practical assessment with questions
You will be observed by an independent assessor completing a set of tasks. It will last 4 hours. They will ask you at least 5 questions.
Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
You will have a professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 90 minutes. They will ask you at least 10 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.
You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.
You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.
You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.Reasonable adjustments
If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Occupational standard, End-point assessment plan and funding band revised. | 18/10/2023 | Not set |
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 09/11/2020 | 17/10/2023 |
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