11 February 2025
Newsdesk
Two of the UK’s leading theatres have teamed up to offer a series of new apprenticeships, boosting skills and widening opportunities to get into theatrical careers.
Recognising the growing expertise gap in a range of essential technical roles and the drop in arts further education courses in England (Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre, 2024), this National Apprenticeship Week (10-16 February) the Royal Ballet and Opera (RBO) and the National Theatre (NT) are working together to deliver new, much-needed early career pathways for the UK’s world-leading live performance industry.
The apprenticeships are based on new standards that the RBO and NT were instrumental in developing alongside other theatre, television and film organisations including the Royal Shakespeare Company, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Young Vic and more.
Widening the breadth of apprenticeship training in key backstage roles, including wig and makeup technicians, costume performance technicians, and scenic artists, will in-turn give more young people the opportunity to learn hands-on, transferable skills that benefit the UK’s whole creative industry.
The establishment of new apprenticeship standards will encourage skills and job growth by giving workplaces the tools to offer more people access to creative career pathways. Delivering additional apprenticeships also makes a career in the arts more attainable, helping to diversify the future of the industry.
Michael, Sound, Video and Broadcast Technician Apprentice at the Royal Ballet and Opera:
‘Becoming an apprentice was never something that I planned to do, but more something I fell into. Throughout my time here I have been able to pick up a range of skills for both my personal and professional development. The people I work with have taught me so much and I have been able to learn from the best in the industry which is a true privilege and joy. Working in a place like the Royal Ballet and Opera has really shaped my outlook on the arts and the endless opportunities it presents for people. Whether centre stage or backstage, everyone contributes to bringing these productions to life.’
The introduction of new apprenticeship standards means the RBO, which currently has the largest number of early career apprenticeships in the UK theatre industry, will be hosting its largest ever cohort in 2025.
The NT’s Apprenticeships programme which was recently awarded a Princess Royal Training Award in recognition of its impact across the sector, has recruited over 50 apprentices across 17 departments since 2011, with over 90% of those completing their training going into paid professional work. This forms part of the NT’s newly launched Skills Centre which aims to address skills gaps across the sector and widen career pathways, offering resources, specialist training and professional development for over 5,000 people each year.
Alex Beard, Chief Executive of the Royal Ballet and Opera, said:
‘Apprenticeships give theatres like us the chance to create new career pathways that are essential for the success of the UK’s cultural landscape. That is why partnering with the National Theatre to expand the breadth of apprenticeships offered is so exciting – it means even more young people will have the opportunity to learn the skills that bring storytelling to life. We look forward to welcoming our biggest ever apprenticeship cohort for 2025 and nurturing the talent that is essential for the wider creative industry to thrive.’
Kate Varah, Executive Director and Co-Chief Executive of the National Theatre said,
‘At the National Theatre we believe that investing in skills and education for young people from all backgrounds is vital to support and sustain the pipeline of talent into the creative industries. Apprenticeships form a key part of our newly launched National Theatre Skills Centre, aiming to address skills gaps across the sector. We are thrilled to collaborate with the Royal Ballet and Opera and other brilliant creative organisations to develop these new apprenticeships standards. We hope that these will have a real impact in sustaining the workforce of our industry and create viable routes into the sector, increasing access to creative careers for young people nationwide.’
Each new apprenticeship standard has been created in collaboration with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE), with OCN London, Chichester College, and Creative Alliance playing a critical role in the standards development and delivery.
Nikki Christie, Deputy Director of Business Services at IfATE, said:
‘The employer voice sits at the heart of the development of standards, and we at IfATE are hugely grateful for the time and resource offered to develop a suite of high-quality technical products that will open a pipeline of opportunity into this sector. The theatre sector has and continues to work tirelessly to develop and get into delivery the backstage theatre standards which will support the growth of a skilled workforce.’
The RBO and NT will continue to work closely throughout the year, giving apprentices the chance to gain work experience at two of the UK’s leading cultural institutions.
For more information on the RBO’s Apprenticeship Programme, visit the RBO website.
For more information on the NT’s Apprenticeship Programme, visit the NT website.
