The theme of this year’s National Apprenticeships Week is “Skills for Life”; a concept that has been a core part of our work with apprentices at the National Theatre [NT] for over a decade.
The NT has been training apprentices since 2012. Over this period, we have recruited 50 entry-level apprentices in 17 different departments, upskilled 17 employees, and recruited four apprentices as part of the government’s pilot Portable Flexi-Job Apprenticeships scheme – this is in conjunction with the Royal Opera House, Ambassador Theatre Group and White Light.
More than nine out of ten of those entry-level apprentices who completed their training with us in the last decade have gone directly into paid professional work in the area they were trained in, eight former apprentices are working at the NT, whilst others are working as freelancers and in different venues across the sector.
But it’s not just about theatre, skills learnt here at the NT are being applied in the film and television industry, the Royal Navy and even within a tattoo parlour in Peckham.
It's these holistic skills that appealed to our current apprentice Maria Hucker [24] who is currently training as a Scenic Metalwork Apprentice: “I wanted hands on experience from real people rather than having to sit in a classroom all the time.”
Looking forward, we plan to start engaging with the government’s new T Level qualifications.
Each T Level is the equivalent of 3 A-Levels and will include an industry placement. As the local community is an important part of our organisation, we are talking to local schools about hosting students within business administration roles, as well as planning to deliver practical placements in our backstage areas in partnership with Mulberry UTC to align with the launch of the Media, Broadcast and Production T Level in September.
We have also been trailblazing more new apprenticeship standards for the sector to open career routes across a range of different backstage areas, with new standards for Costume Technician, Scenic Automatic, Scenic Art and Wigs, Hair, Make up & Prosthetics Technician near completion.
This commitment goes against the narrative that apprenticeships do not work for the creative sector. This was articulated in the recent APPG for Creative Diversity report and has gained a lot of traction. I worry that it is this thinking that led to the finding by The Society of London Theatre (SOLT) & UK Theatre’s 2017 Workforce Review that only 37% of theatre employers offer apprenticeships.
However, that same report by the APPG also stated that ‘a well-designed apprenticeship system could be transformative for the creative sector.’ Whilst acknowledging that there are challenges in delivering useful apprenticeships, including challenges of time and capacity which will vary between organisations, I believe we should focus our energy on working together as a sector, alongside the government, to ensure that apprenticeships can have real impact on our creative workforce, and the wider economy.
Investing in skills and education for young people, from all backgrounds, will support and sustain the pipeline of talent into the industry, whilst widening routes into the industry.
Hear what our apprentices have to say...
Maria Hucker, Scenic Metalwork Apprentice, 24, from Essex
“I decided to do an apprenticeship because I wanted hands on experience from real people, rather than having to sit in a classroom all the time. Being an apprentice at the National Theatre has been an amazing experience, everyone is always so lovely and willing to help, the team I work with are always so willing to pass on their knowledge and experience and give you a hand when needed, it’s really the best place to learn”.
Claudia Frei, Scenic Carpentry Apprentice, 39, from Switzerland
“It’s the best thing I have ever done. I love every minute in that workshop. Everyone is kind, patient and supportive. They’re all very eager and happy to pass on their knowledge. They are also very understanding and willing to learn about me being neurodivergent. I am filled with gratitude. I’d love to inspire others to follow their joy, no matter who they are or where they’re at in their life”.
Nadia Davies, Apprentice Archive Assistant, 37, from Kent
“I had intended to study for a master's degree in order to get the necessary qualification, but it wasn't financially feasible for me. Studying for an apprenticeship with the National Theatre is great because it means I can learn about the archive industry in an accredited archive with experienced and knowledgeable colleagues and earn at the same time”.
Carpentry Apprentice, 2018
“The experience I gained from my apprenticeship is invaluable. Learning in a fast moving and busy working theatre was key to my progress. Despite the pace, everyone still had the time to guide me through the learning process and I felt like part of the team. I was lucky to have two years at the National Theatre and that length of time gave me the confidence to be able to start a career when I left. It very much impacted my future in a positive way!”
Sound and Video Apprentice, 2014
“The apprenticeship was fantastic. It was my first experience in a working environment. I developed extremely quickly into a young professional who was able to hold responsibility and manage my own time. I then carried on working with the industry for three years before moving into different sectors. I often look back and believe my time at the National Theatre was extremely relevant in getting me to where I am now”.
Kath Geraghty is head of workforce development at the National Theatre and chair of the creative and design route panel at IfATE (Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education)
