For PRG Live Event Technician Apprentice Luke Johnson, being part of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 was about more than supporting one of the world’s biggest sporting events. It was an opportunity to draw on years of involvement in weightlifting while helping give Para Powerlifting the platform he believes it deserves.
Luke spent ten days at the Games working as a spotter and loader across both the Para Powerlifting and Weightlifting competitions, with five days dedicated to each. It put his training and experience into practice on an international stage.
His journey into the sport began at 14 through his local gym, where he trained under a former Team England coach. As his involvement grew, connections within the weightlifting community introduced him to Para Powerlifting and the specialist role of spotting and loading.
Luke went on to train with Para Powerlifting coaches, learning how to safely support athletes during competition. He is now part of an expanding group championing the sport and encouraging greater awareness of what happens beyond the lifting platform.
“There’s not enough understanding of Para Powerlifting and the training that goes into roles like spotting and loading. It’s important that people understand what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.”
Glasgow 2026 provided a significant platform for that. Para Powerlifting opened the sporting programme and awarded the first medals of the Games, something Luke was particularly pleased to see.
“It was really good to see Para Powerlifting as the first event of the Commonwealth Games. We want to make the sport more diverse, help it grow and give more people an understanding of what goes into it.”
As part of a team of 12 spotters and loaders, Luke spent the first five days supporting the Para Powerlifting competition before moving on to five days of Weightlifting. With athletes competing at the highest level and royalty among those in attendance, it was his biggest event in the sport to date, and he has already been asked to support future competitions.
An apprenticeship that opens the door to the industry
The experience also brought together two areas of Luke’s life that have more in common than might first appear.
“When we do weightlifting events, we’re involved with the staging, the load in and the technical elements. There’s a lot that needs to happen to make the event work.”
It’s something Luke has become increasingly familiar with during his first year as a Live Event Technician Apprentice at PRG, alongside his studies with Access Industry.
For anyone looking to break into the live events industry, an apprenticeship can be a valuable way to get your foot in the door. Rather than learning solely in a classroom, Luke has been able to build his technical knowledge while gaining hands-on experience inside a major production environment.
Working across different disciplines within the PRG warehouse, he has supported production preps, developed his technical skills and gained experience of the different roles that contribute to a live production. That exposure is already helping him understand where he could take his career.
“I’ve been able to do quite a few preps, enhance my technical skills and get to know everyone. I’ve gone through all the different departments and, from my experience so far, I think I’d like to specialise in lighting and rigging.”
His experience demonstrates how a Live Event Technician apprenticeship can provide a direct route into the industry, giving aspiring technicians the opportunity to develop practical skills, build professional relationships and gain experience that can open doors to future opportunities.
Alongside his practical experience at PRG, Luke has completed first aid training and continued the learning element of his apprenticeship with Access Industry College. He has particularly valued the industry experience his tutor, Tracey, brings to his learning.
Learning what really happens behind the scenes
Looking back on his first year, one of the biggest takeaways has been a new appreciation for the scale and range of expertise behind a live event.
“The most important thing I’ve learned is just how much goes on behind the scenes. It’s not simply someone setting up some lights. There are so many different technical roles involved, and I’ve gained a much better understanding of the knowledge and skills that go into each of them.”
That same appreciation for what happens behind the scenes runs through Luke’s involvement in Para Powerlifting and Weightlifting. From the specialist training needed to safely support athletes to the technical work required to deliver an event, both rely on skilled people working together to make what happens in front of an audience possible.
As Luke approaches the end of his first year at PRG, he’s continuing to develop those skills through his apprenticeship with PRG and Access Industry, while playing his own part in championing Para Powerlifting and supporting the sports that have already taken him to the Commonwealth Games stage.
Start your career in live events
Luke’s journey shows what’s possible when practical experience, industry training and a passion for live events come together. Whether you’re looking to take your first step into the industry or you’re an employer looking to develop the next generation of technical talent, apprenticeships can create opportunities for both.
Thinking about a career in live events?
A Live Event Technician apprenticeship could be your opportunity to get your foot in the door, gain hands-on experience and start building the technical skills needed for a career behind the scenes.
Take a look at our current vacancies and see if there’s an apprenticeship career opportunity for you!
