T Levels focus on vocational skills and can help students into skilled employment, higher study or apprenticeships. Each T Level includes an in-depth industry placement that lasts at least 45 days. Students get valuable experience in the workplace; employers get early sight of the new talent in their industry.
This occupation is found in creative settings. This ranges from screen production studios, outside locations, entertainment venues and theatres, through to organisations that provide technical solutions for the setup of live, recorded and streamed events. Production technicians work in three main roles; as creative venue technicians, live event technicians or screen lighting technicians. The roles can be venue based or they can be mobile; working across a variety of sites and environments. Technicians may work across both indoor and outdoor locations. Creative venue technicians play an active role in the technical setup and operation of a variety of established creative venues such as theatres, arts centres, broadcast and film studios. Live event technicians provide technical solutions for live performance and event projects of all sizes across the UK, Europe, and worldwide. The events range from concerts, festivals and theatrical performances through to exhibitions, conferences, product launches, and showcases. Screen lighting technicians provide the lighting and power solutions for film and TV both on location or in studios to enable screen production requirements to be met.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to prepare, build, set up, and operate functioning systems for creative productions; including screen, theatre, live performance and events. These systems can include sound, lighting, power or video. Technicians read, interpret and give appropriate technical information to colleagues and clients. They use a variety of tools to assemble, install and maintain technical and production systems.
This is a core and options apprenticeship with three options:
Option 1: Creative venue technician - also known as CVT
A CVT provides technical support for the construction, rehearsal, presentation and removal of a live performance. They are multi-skilled across a wide range of technical disciplines. They possess a broad level of knowledge relevant to the venue in which they operate. CVTs will be competent in lighting, audio, video and stage systems related to live performance. They apply these competencies to their resident premises and production. They are skilled in stagecraft techniques such as operating stage machinery and performing scene changes. This allows them to set up, rig, operate, maintain and carry out basic repairs of technical equipment used in creative venues.
Option 2: Live event technician - also known as LET
LETs set-up technical equipment for live events and usually specialise in sound, lighting or video. They have knowledge of the equipment used in different environments and will have the ability to calibrate systems. They specify components to deliver high quality outputs across a range of different settings. LETs are responsible for the control, servicing, repair and storage of complex technical equipment. Their specialist knowledge enables them to troubleshoot and repair components and systems at sub assembly level.
Option 3: Screen lighting technician - also known as SLT
SLTs set-up technical lighting and power equipment systems for film and television productions. They have knowledge of the equipment used in different environments and will have the ability to set up and de-rig lighting packages either on location or in a studio setup. They will be able to understand the lighting plan and install lighting fixtures to deliver the desired effect across a range of different settings. SLTs are responsible for the control, setup, de-rig and storage of complex technical equipment. Their specialist knowledge enables them to troubleshoot lighting and power solutions on set or on location.
In their daily work, technicians interact with a wide range of partners and collaborators. This may include art departments, camera operators, sound technicians, production team, performers, directors and producers. They may also interact with presenters, audiences, and members of the general public. Although technicians are required to work independently and may be required to support junior colleagues, they usually operate under the direction and supervision of a supervisor or manager.
All technicians will be proactive in finding solutions to problems and identifying areas for improving processes, ensuring work is accurate and of high quality. In any context working safely and efficiently is paramount. Technicians may be required to work at height. Many projects are carried out in fast-moving, dynamic workplaces. Technicians may be required to work flexible working hours, weekends and evenings.
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Duty 1 Interpret system specifications for productions, live performance and events. These systems can include sound or lighting or video. |
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Duty 2 Assemble and configure systems to meet the specification requirements for sound, lighting, power or video. |
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Duty 3 Test, troubleshoot and maintain equipment and systems. |
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Duty 4 Collaborate with stakeholders and work with team members. |
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Duty 5 Operate and maintain technical equipment. |
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Duty 6 Dynamically risk assess the work environment and situation. Adapt working practices to ensure the safety of self and others. |
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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. |
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Duty 12 Monitor and operate systems or services relevant to own workplace. |
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Duty 13 Assemble scenery and staging systems to meet performance requirements. |
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Duty 14 Carry out live scene changes and operate stage and suspension systems. |
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Duty 15 Inspect systems or services relevant to own workplace and carry out maintenance, basic repairs, and upkeep. |
K1: Health and safety standards including: manual handling, work at height provision and use of work equipment, construction - design and management, noise, first aid, working time regulations, electricity at work, fire and emergency procedures, accident reporting, HSE guidance on running events safely, personal protective equipment, legal requirements for the maintenance of technical systems.
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K2: Typical management structures within the production, performance and events work environment. Etiquette and culture, and interdependencies between departments.
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K3: The sub-sectors, relevant industry bodies and their roles in the creative industries such as Production Services Association (PSA), Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT), Live Events Network Charter, BECTU, Professional Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA), Association of Studio and Production Equipment Companies (ASPEC), Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT).
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K4: Lifting operations; theory and practice.
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K5: Security and control of equipment protocols.
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K6: Planning processes required to deliver a production, live performance or event and the importance of eliminating errors.
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K7: Principles used to select the correct tools and equipment for tasks.
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K8: Electricity and temporary electrical supplies; theory, practice and safety.
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K9: Stock control, storage, logistics and transportation.
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K10: Approaches used to control environmental impact and how these contribute to sustainable management.
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K11: Software and tools to view, extract information and realise specifications from system designs.
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K12: Principles of systematic and methodical approaches to problem solving.
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K13: Methods used to identify potential improvements to systems and procedures.
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K14: The use and function of mechanical and electromechanical systems relevant to your workplace such as stage machinery, moving fixtures, safety curtains, powered hoists and winches.
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K15: The importance of keeping work and storage areas clean, tidy and free from the build-up of waste materials.
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K16: Principles and terminology relating to the set-up of lighting, sound or video systems for live performance and events.
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K17: Methods used to prepare, test and maintain lighting, sound or video equipment and systems.
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K18: Methods used to troubleshoot and carry out basic repairs to lighting, sound or video equipment and systems.
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K19: Different verbal and digital communication methods and how these may be adapted to suit for different stakeholders.
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K26: Principles of stage and production management.
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K27: Types and styles of performance spaces such as proscenium arch, thrust, traverse, studio, open air and site specific venues and the impact on production design.
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K28: History and development of lighting, sound and set design.
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K29: The application of troubleshooting techniques to fault find and carry out basic repairs to creative venue systems.
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K30: Appreciation of other departmental requirements and production design elements – scenic, lighting, audio and visual.
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S1: Interpret system specifications and drawings such as sound, lighting or video.
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S2: Prepare system specifications and drawings.
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S3: Use specialist software systems such as computer aided design and asset management to extract information and input basic information.
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S4: Assemble systems to support production, live performance or events from component parts using correct tools.
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S5: Troubleshoot and fault find issues in discrete pieces of equipment.
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S6: Deploy, operate and maintain technical equipment and tools.
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S7: Prepare, test, repair and maintain lighting, sound or video equipment and systems.
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S8: Collaborate with stakeholders and adapt communication appropriately to suit the audience.
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S9: Use digital collaboration tools to collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders.
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S10: Direct team members taking into consideration their level of experience.
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S11: Interpret and apply method statements in response to dynamic risk assessment to help ensure safe planning and delivery of work processes.
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S12: Use safety and access equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions or to an alternative safe scheme of use.
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S13: Assemble and configure structures and systems from component parts to production specification.
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S14: Disassemble structures and systems, storing component parts and equipment safely.
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S15: Prepare written information and reports.
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S23: Comply with creative venue budgetary and financial management protocols.
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S24: Undertake set and change scenes in live performance – setting and striking scenic elements under show conditions.
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S25: Operate suspension systems.
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S26: Undertake stage crafts such as basic scenic construction, carpentry, metalwork, stage machinery, props, scene changes, knots and terminations.
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S27: Trouble shoot, fault find and carry out basic repairs to creative venue and production systems.
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S28: As directed, inspect, test and maintain creative venue systems and production systems.
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S29: Program and operate production control consoles. Undertake cueing and operation during the live performance or event.
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B1: Adopts a flexible approach and is adaptable to change.
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B2: Punctual, reliable and personally responsible.
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B3: Team-focused, respectful of others and works and communicates effectively with stakeholders.
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B4: Self-motivated with a positive and disciplined approach to work. Takes ownership of work and personal responsibility for timely delivery.
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B5: Committed to achieving clear goals and ambitions and to continuously improve and develop.
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B6: Puts safety first for themselves and others.
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B7: Remains calm and safe when exposed to time pressures or deadlines.
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B8: Proactively identifies solutions and keeps up to date with industry best practice.
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B9: Takes personal responsibility for sustainable outcomes in how they carry out the duties of their role by reference to environmental good practice.
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Awarding organisation: Pearson
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