Tag Archive: White Light Apprentices

1. Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week at WL

   3 February 2020 13:49 Leave a Comment

   

   For almost a decade, WL has run an award-winning apprenticeship scheme in order to develop the next generation of industry talent. With today marking the start of National Apprenticeship Week, we’ve decided to take a look back at the scheme’s successes so far and how it has changed the lives of those who’ve taken part.  

   The WL Apprenticeship aims to nurture those embarking on a career in technical theatre. The apprenticeship is a Level 3 Creative Venue Technician course which is a combination of ‘on-site’ and ‘in-house’ training. Working alongside training provider the National College of Creative Industries, WL delivers specific training courses in order for those embarking on the apprenticeship to receive the necessary base skills and certification that is recognised and required in the industry. 

   The scheme is overseen by WL’s Health and Safety and Workforce Development Director Chris Nicholls, who comments: “The scheme has been tailored to ensure it offers everything those wanting a technical career in the industry require. Whether it’s the preparation and maintenance of AV and lighting equipment, first-hand experience of working at some of London’s most prolific venues, along with training across all departments here at WL, they will receive a wide range of opportunities and skillsets that aren’t available elsewhere”. 

   

   As part of its commitment to developing the practical skills of its apprentices, WL works closely with its industry partners to offer exclusive on-site placements. The previous cohort worked at venues such as the Roundhouse, Coliseum and Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch. Christine Piper, Head of Production at Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, comments: “For the last couple of years, we’ve worked with WL to help facilitate their apprenticeship scheme, with the timing of the work placement coinciding with the rehearsal and tech period of our annual pantomime. This gives the apprentice an excellent opportunity to work on a show from the start of rehearsals to the opening. We get an extra pair of hands and they gain some vital experience”. 

   Every WL apprentice also works on the annual VAULT Festival, where they take part in the technical installation. Andy George, Head of Production at VAULT Festival, comments: “We love working with the apprentices. It’s an opportunity for us to pass on the exciting learning opportunity that the Festival is to people who really thrive and benefit from it. The apprentices form the core of the lighting crew we work with and without their passion, energy and support, the Festival wouldn’t be what it is”. 

   Last October, WL took on its latest batch of apprentices: George Ploog, Azaldean Mohammed, Charlie Russell-Teare and Jack Bass. It also widened its offering by creating two Business Administration Apprenticeships, which were awarded to Ellie Richards and Aalya Royal. These new apprenticeships give each candidate the opportunity to work in an office-based role and develop their skills as part of the Business Support and Marketing teams.    

   Since WL’s initial intake of four apprentices in 2011, the company has overseen 57 apprenticeships; with all of those who completed the course going on to work in the industry. Many are still employed by the company in various roles, including Dan Goodwin who was part of the first ever intake. In total, 8% of the company’s current workforce is made up of previous apprentices. 

   

   The past twelve months have been particularly significant for WL’s Apprenticeship scheme. At last year’s CC Skills Awards, the company was named Apprentice Employer of the Year whereas at the Merton Best Business Awards, Dominic Devereux (of the 2017 cohort) won Apprentice of the Year. These join the company’s previous accolades of CC Skills Best Apprentice Employer in 2012 along with Best Collaboration with Education Providers in 2014. 

   The company is currently looking for its next intake of apprenticeships under the CVT framework. The deadline to apply is 23^rd February 2020, with the aim to start in April 2020. Interested applicants should visit this link. WL is particularly keen to hear from individuals currently underrepresented in the industry, such as those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) and lower socio-economic backgrounds. 

   Chris concludes: “We are really proud of our apprentice scheme and the careers it has forged so far. As a company, it’s allowed us to fulfil our passion to nurture the next generation and make sure they receive the best start possible in what’s a notoriously competitive industry. Looking ahead, we are excited to meet the next cohort and continue delivering an award-winning scheme we have now become renowned for”.  

2. White Light’s Apprenticeship Scheme: Going Underground at VAULT Festival

   5 March 2019 15:56 Leave a Comment

   

   VAULT Festival is London’s biggest, boldest and bravest arts and entertainment festival. Founded in 2012, it is located inside the Waterloo tunnels and annually hosts over 400 shows from over 2,000 artists. It features the best new writing in theatre and comedy along with immersive experiences, late night parties and much more. Since its inception, WL has supported the Festival by supplying the complete lighting and rigging solutions. The Festival is also an opportunity for the company’s apprentices to work on-site as part of the technical installation.

   VAULT Festival is produced by Mat Burt and Andy George of the Heritage Arts Company. Andy, who is also Head of Production, comments: “The Festival exists to provide opportunities for visiting companies to present work. But it also exists to further the lives and careers of those we work with too; hence why we were so keen to get WL’s apprentices on board. It’s an agenda driven by WL’s Managing Director Bryan Raven who wanted to give the apprentices a chance to experience the hands-on, multi-natured, exciting environment of the Festival. Much like he used to do up at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival back when he was first starting out, he wanted the apprentices to experience something that can only be learned ‘on the job’. Fringe festivals can shape the careers of those backstage and behind-the-scenes just as much as those onstage – and we’re no different”.

   

   Prior to the Festival, the apprentices worked with VAULT’s Head and Deputy Head of Lighting to fit up all of their performance and public spaces. There are 11 venues, 5 public areas, and a range of vehicle and pop up venues; all of which are built from scratch. During the festival, the apprentices work with everything from flying in chain hoists and truss, to rigging, cabling, and plotting. They also help deal with tech and dress rehearsals, daily maintenance, troubleshoot when problems arise, help with turnarounds between performances and even operate shows as well.

   Andy comments: “With around 32 different performances per day, this normally includes at least four new shows, so the programme is constantly changing. As a result, a lot of what the apprentices are learning is to work with a wide range of people, challenge particular circumstances and find the best and most efficient ways to problem-solve. This, coupled with the hands-on skills of rigging, cabling, patching and programming means they are gaining hands-on experience of all the necessities of working in the theatre and events lighting world”.

   

   This year’s intake of apprentices have worked once again on this year’s Festival which was the biggest one yet. It opened on 23rd January and will run until 17th March. WL’s Managing Director Bryan Raven comments: “As an organisation, we make it a priority to offer our apprentices training that is both hands-on and  transferable for when they complete their studies and pursue a career within the industry. VAULT Festival provides us with the invaluable opportunity for them to do just this”.

   Andy concludes: “We love working with the apprentices. It’s an opportunity for us to pass on the exciting learning opportunity that the Festival is to people who really thrive and benefit from it. The apprentices form the core of the lighting crew we work with and without their passion, energy and support, the Festival wouldn’t be what it is”.

   Photos courtesy of VAULT Festival.

3. White Light’s Apprenticeship Scheme: The Story So Far

   4 March 2019 13:57 Leave a Comment

   

   To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, we will be posting a blog every day this week which focuses on our long-running apprenticeship scheme and the impact this has had on both past and current apprentices. Today, we’re reflecting on how successful the scheme has been so far and how we are now offering apprenticeships that go beyond the traditional technical training.

   As an organisation, we pride ourselves on our industry knowledge, personal service and high technical standards. We are equally passionate about developing the next generation of talent and a way in which we do this is through our annual apprenticeship scheme. Since 2011, we have overseen a total of 49 technical apprenticeships as well as winning Best Apprentice Employer in 2012, along with Best Collaboration with Education Providers in 2014 with Fairfield Halls and ATG at the Creative and Cultural Skills Awards.

   Now in its eighth year and with a fresh intake of apprentices, the scheme is as strong as ever and continues to be overseen by WL’s Health & Safety and Workforce Development Director Chris Nicholls. Chris comments: “Since 2011, we have fulfilled our commitment of taking on an average of six intakes per year, with each of these having their training based on the Technical Theatre framework (up until 2017). From our initial intake of four apprentices in 2011, several are still employed by the company in various roles including Event Site Technicians, Account Handlers, Advanced Installations Technicians, Crew Logistics and Supervisors in our Control Department. In fact, 6% of our workforce is made up of our current apprentices; a fact we’re very proud of”.

   

   The WL Apprenticeship aims to nurture those embarking on a career in technical theatre. The company is the first in the UK to offer the new level 3 Creative Venue Technician standard and WL was one of the employers who helped shape this standard.  The standard is a combination of ‘on-site’ and ‘in-house’ training as well as 20% ‘off the job’ training. Working alongside their training provider the National College of Creative Industries, WL delivers specific training courses in order for those embarking on the apprenticeship to receive the necessary base skills and certification that is recognised and required in the industry.

   Chris explains: “For us, it’s vital that we offer our apprentices training that is going to be transferable to their future career. That’s why we provide a solid grounding in technical knowledge when they first join WL; rotating them between warehouse departments such as Moving Lights, LED, Systems and Control Rigging, Cables, Sound, Video and Audio, Operations and Technical Services. We then move them into our Site Technician team, allowing each one to work on various events such as the London Fashion Weeks, Covent Garden Christmas Lights as well as meetings and conferences in venues where we are the in-house technical supplier such as Central Hall Westminster and Claridge’s. It’s an experience they wouldn’t receive elsewhere and one which we’re extremely proud of”.

   WL has recently decided to widen its apprentice offering and give candidates the opportunity to work in an office-based role and be part of the two teams that support vital parts of the business. Two new roles will be Business Administration Apprenticeships who will train and develop their skills within the marketing and business support departments, as well as gain insight and experience in related finance areas. The first of these apprenticeships was given to Aayla Royal who will be based at WL’s Wimbledon base. The next successful candidate will start in mid-March.

   

   Sandra Tyler, WL’s Head of HR, comments: “With our technical apprenticeships proving so successful, we felt it was right to offer something that allowed candidates to experience the more administrative side of our industry. The aim of the Business Administration Apprenticeship is to enable those who take part to become highly trained individuals with practical experience gained in all aspects of our Business Support teams. We really look forward to working with Aayla and giving her hands-on experience and training she wouldn’t receive elsewhere”.

   Chris concludes: “The fact that our apprenticeship scheme has won awards, as well as allowed those who’ve undertaken it to have successful careers in our industry, shows what an extremely valuable training platform it is. We are committed to bringing through and training what will be the next generation and look forward to continuing the scheme for many years to come”.