Live Event Technician

Level 3

Live Event Technician

Level 3

No formal entry requirements
Level 3 Live Event Technician
18 months (of which 15 will be in practical learning).

Standard Overview

The Level 3 Creative Industries Production Technician Apprenticeship (Live Event Technician pathway) is designed to give an apprentice professional knowledge and experience in the live event production industry.

Live Event Technicians ensure seamless operations from sound to staging, allowing organisations to deliver high-quality, adaptable events.

Standard Overview

The Level 3 Creative Industries Production Technician Apprenticeship (Live Event Technician pathway) is designed to give an apprentice professional knowledge and experience in the live event production industry.

Live Event Technicians ensure seamless operations from sound to staging, allowing organisations to deliver high-quality, adaptable events.

No formal entry requirements
Level 3 Live Event Technician
18 months (of which 15 will be in practical learning).
  • Event Production Companies: Managing concerts, festivals, corporate events, and live performances.
  • AV & Technical Service Providers: Delivering technical support for conferences, trade shows, and product launches.
  • Event Venues: Arenas, outdoor venues, and convention centres hosting live events.
Typical responsibilities for a Live Event Technician Apprentice could include:
  • Installing and configuring complex audio, lighting, and video systems for live events.
  • Operating and monitoring live event systems during performances, ensuring seamless sound, lighting, and video coordination in real time.
  • Preparing, packing, and managing technical equipment for transportation, ensuring safe and efficient delivery to local or international venues.
  • Safely utilising rigging equipment to install overhead lighting, audio systems, and visual displays in challenging environments such as outdoor venues or large arenas.
  • Event Production Companies: Managing concerts, festivals, corporate events, and live performances.
  • AV & Technical Service Providers: Delivering technical support for conferences, trade shows, and product launches.
  • Event Venues: Arenas, outdoor venues, and convention centres hosting live events.
Typical responsibilities for a Live Event Technician Apprentice could include:
  • Installing and configuring complex audio, lighting, and video systems for live events.
  • Operating and monitoring live event systems during performances, ensuring seamless sound, lighting, and video coordination in real time.
  • Preparing, packing, and managing technical equipment for transportation, ensuring safe and efficient delivery to local or international venues.
  • Safely utilising rigging equipment to install overhead lighting, audio systems, and visual displays in challenging environments such as outdoor venues or large arenas.

Entry Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification, but a keen interest in this field is essential. Applicants must be prepared for both shift work and travel. 

Prior experience is not necessary, but useful and should be supported by a portfolio of evidence.

Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours

  • Product knowledge and terminology including the theory surrounding chosen specialisms such as sound, light and video.
  • Understand the planning processes required to deliver a live event and the importance of eliminating errors that can prove costly on site.
  • Selection of the correct tools and equipment for tasks.
  • Electricity and Temporary Electrical Supplies; theory, practice and safety.
  • Understand Management structures within event environment, site etiquettes and culture, including on site communication and interdependencies between departments.
  • Working knowledge of stock control, warehousing, storage, logistics and transportation.
  • Knowledge of first aid and health and safety including manual handling, work at height, noise, working hours and fatigue and related legislation.
  • Knowledge of the environmental impacts of live events and how it is managed.
  • Lifting operations; theory and practice.
  • A clear understanding of the sectors within the live events industry.
  • Preparation, test, repair and maintenance of equipment such as amplifiers, speakers and sound control desks; lights, dimmers & lighting control desks or video screens, projectors and associated control equipment.
  • Assembly of systems from component parts.
  • Fault finding in components and systems.
  • Operation of specialised technical equipment and tools.
  • People management and interpersonal skills especially the ability to react to varied working environments.
  • Computer Literacy including specialist software systems such as CAD/Design and Rental Management.
  • Understand and interpret system specifications and drawings.
  • Logistics, with specific reference to truck pack, the ability to judge required space for loads, and prepare Carnets & Manifests for shows travelling outside of the UK/EU.
  • Lifting/Ground Rigging – much of the technical equipment used in live events is hung from pre-rigged support systems.
  • Customer Service – dealing politely and respectfully with customers, ranging from Account Managers to Production Managers to the end client when on site.
  • Have the ability to work as part of a team, which may vary in size and dynamic.
  • Have the drive and determination to complete the job on time.
  • The ability to work and remain calm & safe under pressure.
  • Have a safe attitude – specifically regarding working with electricity, work at height, manual handling & noise.
  • Have the ability to adapt to change with enthusiasm.
  • The ability to demonstrate problem-solving abilities.
  • A willingness to work unsociable hours in varying locations for extended periods.
  • Punctuality, reliability and personable responsibility.
  • Be self-motivated with a positive ‘can do’ attitude, clear goals and ambition.
  • The ability to be an effective communicator.

Entry Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification, but a keen interest in this field is essential. Applicants must be prepared for both shift work and travel. 

Prior experience is not necessary, but useful and should be supported by a portfolio of evidence.

Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours

  • Product knowledge and terminology including the theory surrounding chosen specialisms such as sound, light and video.
  • Understand planning processes required to deliver a live event and the importance of eliminating errors that can prove costly on site.
  • Selection of the correct tools and equipment for tasks.
  • Electricity and Temporary Electrical Supplies; theory, practice and safety.
  • Understand Management structures within event environment, site etiquettes and culture, including on site communication and interdependencies between departments.
  • Working knowledge of stock control, warehousing, storage, logistics and transportation.
  • Knowledge of first aid and health and safety including manual handling, work at height, noise, working hours and fatigue and related legislation.
  • Knowledge of the environmental impacts of live events and how it is managed.
  • Lifting operations; theory and practice.
  • A clear understanding of the sectors within the live events industry.
  • Preparation, test, repair and maintenance of equipment such as amplifiers, speakers and sound control desks; lights, dimmers & lighting control desks or video screens, projectors and associated control equipment.
  • Assembly of systems from component parts.
  • Fault finding in components and systems.
  • Operation of specialised technical equipment and tools.
  • People management and interpersonal skills especially the ability to react to varied working environments.
  • Computer Literacy including specialist software systems such as CAD/Design and Rental Management.
  • Understand and interpret system specifications and drawings.
  • Logistics, with specific reference to truck pack, the ability to judge required space for loads, and prepare Carnets & Manifests for shows travelling outside of the UK/EU.
  • Lifting/Ground Rigging – much of the technical equipment used in live events is hung from pre-rigged support systems.
  • Customer Service – dealing politely and respectfully with customers, ranging from Account Managers to Production Managers to the end client when on site.
  • Have the ability to work as part of a team, which may vary in size and dynamic.
  • Have the drive and determination to complete the job on time.
  • The ability to work and remain calm & safe under pressure.
  • Have a safe attitude – specifically regarding working with electricity, work at height, manual handling & noise.
  • Have the ability to adapt to change with enthusiasm.
  • The ability to demonstrate problem-solving abilities.
  • A willingness to work unsociable hours in varying locations for extended periods.
  • Punctuality, reliability and personable responsibility.
  • Be self-motivated with a positive ‘can do’ attitude, clear goals and ambition.
  • The ability to be an effective communicator.

Modules

Modules

Modules

  • Safe Working Practices
  • Electrical Fundamentals
  • Equipment Testing & Troubleshooting
  • Maintaining Equipment
  • Venue Considerations
  • Servicing Requirements
  • Troubleshooting
  • Lighting Equipment
  • Audio Equipment
  • Industry Awareness
  • Wellbeing
  • Programming and Operations
  • Storage and Logistics (Part 1)
  • Storage and Logistics (Part 2)
  • Technical Specifications – Lighting
  • Technical Specifications – Audio
  • LOLER
  • Automation
  • Rigging
  • Network Infrastructure
  • Calibration of Complex Systems
  • Packing and Transportation
  • Assemble and Configure Project Planning
  • Assemble and Configure Project – Execution

Employer Testimonials

Employer Testimonials

Where do you see yourself?

This apprenticeship equips you with the skills to go onto:

Operating under the direction of the Technical Management Team, a Theatre Technician will provide support for the construction, rehearsal, presentation and removal of equipment for a live performance.

Audio Video (AV) technicians set up and operate the video and audio equipment used to enhance live events. They assemble microphones, mix sound boards, coordinate graphics, operate spotlights, manage video recordings, and provide technical support for events.

A Production Manager’s role is hugely varied, covering productions from audition to the end of the show’s run. A project management role, they oversee all elements of the show.

Lighting is a key element of any show, adding to the atmosphere and creating depth in key moments. A Lighting Designer creates these moments.

A Stage Manager works closely with a Performance Director, supporting the technical crafts and ensuring that everything runs smoothly on stage and behind it.

A Repair Engineer’s job is to ensure that all the equipment needed to put on an event runs as expected, is kept up to date with maintenance schedules, and to be on hand to fix anything that breaks during a performance.

Where do you see yourself?

This apprenticeship equips you with the skills to go onto:

Operating under the direction of the Technical Management Team, a Theatre Technician will provide support for the construction, rehearsal, presentation and removal of equipment for a live performance.

Audio Video (AV) technicians set up and operate the video and audio equipment used to enhance live events. They assemble microphones, mix sound boards, coordinate graphics, operate spotlights, manage video recordings, and provide technical support for events.

 

A Production Manager’s role is hugely varied, covering productions from audition to the end of the show’s run. A project management role, they oversee all elements of the show.

Lighting is a key element of any show, adding to the atmosphere and creating depth in key moments. A Lighting Designer creates these moments.

A Stage Manager works closely with a Performance Director, supporting the technical crafts and ensuring that everything runs smoothly on stage and behind it.

A Repair Engineer’s job is to ensure that all the equipment needed to put on an event runs as expected, is kept up to date with maintenance schedules, and to be on hand to fix anything that breaks during a performance.

Want to find out more?

Wondering how an apprenticeship can influence your future? If you’re considering career paths or seeking practical experience, we’re ready to assist you. Contact us today to discuss your choices and move closer to your ideal career!

Want to find out more?

Wondering how an apprenticeship can influence your future? If you’re considering career paths or seeking practical experience, we’re ready to assist you. Contact us today to discuss your choices and move closer to your ideal career!

Understanding the industry (terms & relationships)

  • Health and safety standards including: manual handling, work at height, provision and use of work equipment, construction (design and management), noise, first aid, working hours, electricity at work, fire & emergency procedures, accident reporting and Technical Standards for Places of Entertainment.
  • Security and control of equipment protocols.
  • Management structures within a venue, etiquette and culture, including communication protocols and interdependencies of departments.
  • Relevant industry bodies and their roles e.g. HSE, ABTT, BECTU principles of stage and production management.
  • Creative venue safety systems.
  • The history, styles, architecture, terminology and acoustics of creative venues.

Planning

  • The selection of the correct tools and equipment for tasks such as assembling scenic components and truss and rigging lighting, audio and video equipment.
  • Computer-aided design – viewing, extracting information and realising specifications from system designs e.g. stage plans, lighting plans and sound schematics.
  • Environmental and sustainability protocols e.g. correct disposal of different lamp types and electronic equipment, reduction in use of PVC products.
  • Approaches to problem solving – to achieve the creative team’s requirements within the appropriate venue or production’s resources.
  • Competently use safety and access equipment e.g. personal and fall protection equipment, ladders, access towers and tallescopes.
  • Assemble and configure structures and systems from component parts.

Production Processes, Performance & Maintenance

  • The agreed industry safe working procedure: e.g. The Code of Conduct for Get-ins, Fit-ups and Getouts.
  • Recognition of production design elements – scenic, lighting, audio and visual e.g. means of scenic construction: timber, metal and textile. The properties of electricity, fixed and temporary electrical systems; theory, practice and safety e.g. to enable portable appliance testing of relevant technical equipment.
  • The properties of mechanical and electromechanical systems e.g. to enable the assembly and monitoring of hydraulic systems for scenic effect.
  • Lifting operations; theory and practice e.g. to enable monitoring of a lifting operation in compliance with LOLER such as performer flying.
  • How to identify potential improvements to systems and procedures to better enable the realisation of the creative team’s vision for the production.
  • Housekeeping – keeping venue work and storage areas clean, tidy and free from the build-up of waste materials.
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To be eligible, applicants must be aged 16 or over, living in England and not taking part in full-time education. If they are already employed, they can start an apprenticeship in their current job to help them progress to a higher level position.

Apprenticeships range from Level 2 to Level 7. The levels and their equivalent qualifications are listed below: 

Level 2 = 4 GCSEs

Level 3 = 3 A Levels

Level 4 & 5 = Foundation degree and HNC/D

Level 6 = Bachelor’s Degree

Level 7 = Master’s Degree

Access Industry currently offers apprenticeships up to Level 4, but we continually update available apprenticeships to meet learner needs and industry trends.