Technical Theatre NOS

Technical Theatre

A suite of new NOS for Technical Theatre has been developed by Creative & Cultural Skills and Skillscene’s expert panel. These have now been formally approved by UKCG and will form the basis for new and more relevant qualifications and vocational training courses in technical theatre skills. The NOS are available for download here

Skillscene is an industry-led organisation which aims to encompass and support skills development in the live arts. Founders of Skillscene include representatives of most trade bodies, including ABTT, ALD, BECTU, ITC, NCDT, PLASA (case study below), SBTD, SOLT and TMA. Through its Board, comprising representatives of these trade and professional bodies as well as employer representatives, Skillscene is well placed to act as the mouthpiece of the performing arts on technical training issues.

The collaborative working between Skillscene members and Creative & Cultural Skills on the development of these NOS ensured that they are industry focused, relevant, up-to-date and fit for purpose.

Case Study

PLASA (the Professional Lighting and Sound Association) is the lead professional body for the specialists who supply technologies, services and expertise to the diverse productions and events industry. In the spring of 2005 they were approached by the rigging community to take forward the development of a qualification that would provide a means of assessing and acknowledging the skills and knowledge required to work in the field of entertainment rigging. The National Rigging Certificate at Levels 2 and 3 of the NQF, and accompanying ID Skills Card, were piloted in early 2007 and an official launch took place at the PLASA show at Earls Court in August 2007.

The excellent industry-led developmental work for these qualifications was used to inform the production of the new National Occupational Standards in Technical Theatre.

As part of the current reform of the vocational qualifications system, PLASA has now become an Awarding Body. Click on the PLASA logo above, or click here, to find out more.