Training Opportunity

Backstage Technical Apprenticeship

Description
The Royal Ballet and Opera continues to lead the way in opera, ballet, music and dance both live on stage and through multiple digital platforms, from live streaming to worldwide cinema screenings. Our Covent Garden theatre has been at the heart of London and British cultural life for three centuries. We are home to two world-class Companies: The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera.

The Royal Opera House describes the place we work, not who we are. The whole is always more than the sum of its parts - we may be a House, but three quarters of our audiences experience what we do outside this building. While our Covent Garden theatre is the nerve centre, the impact and influence of the organisation can be felt in every corner of the country, and around the world.

Apprenticeship Scheme, Fixed Term Contract (2 years)
Creative Venue Technician Apprentice (3 Vacancies)
Sound, Video and Broadcast Technician Apprentice (1 Vacancy)
Starting September 2026
Salary: £25,336.80 for 42.5hrs per week
Based in: Covent Garden, London

We are one of the busiest theatres in the world, delivering more than 400 performances each year and our backstage teams are some of the best theatre craftspeople in the world.

We want to encourage fresh, passionate new talent into the building and our apprenticeship scheme plays a big part in that!

An apprenticeship gives you the practical skills and knowledge that will underpin your professional development and access to a network of people who can guide and support you during your career.

What our apprentices say:
"It has taught me invaluable on-the-job experience to start my career in a unique job role."

The role is on a fixed-term contract for 2 years, full-time (42.5 hours per week) and based at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

During the Apprenticeship you will work at RBO and study alongside with the College Training Provider, Creative Alliance. You will study for a Level 3 Production Technician Apprenticeship Standard on either the Creative Venue Technician or Live Event Technician pathway.

Candidates recruited into this programme will be screened into the roles of either Creative Venue Technician Apprentice or Sound Video and Broadcast Technician Apprentice based on their experience and aptitude demonstrated in application and during interviews.

Will I be paid?
Yes! You will earn National Living Wage which will increase by 2.5% after successfully completing the first year. Apprentices are expected to use this to pay for their own travel to work and college. College fees will also be paid by the Royal Ballet and Opera.
Requirements

You must be 18 years old or over by 31st August 2026.
You must have been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom for at least the past three consecutive years prior to the start of the programme. This is a mandatory requirement in line with apprenticeship funding regulations.
You must have work authorisation for the UK.
This is a Level 3 apprenticeship; therefore, applicants must be suitable for study at that level and NOT:

You must not have completed a degree or equivalent level qualification in the UK or elsewhere, regardless of subject.
You must not have experience (over six months) of working professionally in the creative industries in a technical backstage role as your skill level will be above the apprenticeship level.

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