National Theatre opens applications for training programme to boost skills for young people in South Devon
The National Theatre opens applications for its nationwide training programme Nationwide Young Technicians, as part of its commitment to boost skills for young people. Run in partnership with Theatre Royal Plymouth, young people across South Devon can now apply to take part in the programme. This opportunity is launched in support of this year’s Discover! Creative Careers Week (18-22 November) to inspire and inform young people about careers in the creative sector.
Nationwide Young Technicians offers 13-19-year-olds across the country the chance to develop practical skills and learn about the variety of backstage and off-stage roles that exist within theatre. The free programme is delivered online to reach as many young people nationwide as possible. Online sessions are delivered by leading industry professionals from the National Theatre, with participants being sent kit boxes to practice the skills they are learning. The 11-week online programme covers lighting, staging, sound and video and takes place from Tuesday 4 February 2025.
Young people in South Devon have the opportunity to take part in in-person workshops at partner Theatre Royal Plymouth to put their skills into practice. Similar partner sessions are also being delivered in partnership with HOME Manchester and Nottingham Playhouse.
The National Theatre opens these applications ahead of this year’s Discover! Creative Careers Week (18-22 November) to increase awareness of routes into the creative industries. The National Theatre is committed to investing in skills and education for young people through programmes and training opportunities which will supercharge specialist skills needed and ensure that the whole sector can continue to thrive. The National Theatre is currently training eight apprentices across a variety of backstage and off-stage departments and is preparing to welcome a new cohort of T-Level students from Mulberry UTC who will start their placements this month. 90% of apprentices who have completed their training at the National Theatre have gone directly into employment within the sector.
Simon Stephens, Head of Skills Centre at the National Theatre, said “The National Theatre is the largest employer in the not-for-profit theatre sector, and a skills incubator for the entire creative industries. Whether you have prior knowledge or simply a passion for theatre, we offer young people a clear route to learn new skills and explore careers in the theatre sector. We are delighted to be opening applications for our nationwide Young Technicians programme for young people in Plymouth and participating in this year’s Discover! Creative Careers Week to raise awareness of those less visible roles in theatre.”
Zara (16), a previous Nationwide Young Technician, said “Young Technicians has been a great way to kickstart going into the industry and gave me more confidence to ask, to be able to then get more work experience. Having a course where you’re taught things by professionals and having specific people coming in was definitely key in moving forward in this sort of career path.”
Beth Siddall, Project Manager, Young People and Partnerships at TRP said “The Nationwide Young Technicians programme is a true insight into the professional technical theatre world. We are thrilled to working with our partners regionally and the National Theatre once again, to give young people from South Devon access to industry leaders across the country. At TRP, we place value in nurturing these backstage roles and are proud to offer the opportunity to inspire the next generation of expert stage, lighting and sound technicians.”
Applications for the Nationwide Young Technicians programme close on Monday 9 December, 10am. To apply please visit the NT Website.
