As part of this year’s National Apprenticeship Week, we thought this would be the perfect time to look back on the history of WL’s Apprentice Scheme, what it’s achieved so far and what the future holds.

As an organisation, WL prides itself on its industry knowledge, personal service and high technical standards. It is equally passionate about developing the next generation of talent and a way in which it does this is through its annual apprenticeship scheme. Since 2011, the company has overseen over 60 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 eleventh year, the scheme continues to go from strength-to-strength, with a fresh intake starting only two weeks ago. The delivery of the scheme continues to be overseen by WL’s Health & Safety and Workforce Development Director Chris Nicholls, who 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 Level 3 Creative Venue Technician standard. 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 first-ever WL apprentice cohort.

The WL Apprenticeship aims to nurture those embarking on a career in technical theatre. The company was the first in the UK to offer the new level 3 Creative Venue Technician standard and WL was one of the employers who actually 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 proves vital to their overall development”.

Alongside the Technical Apprenticeships, WL has also overseen Business Administration Apprenticeships, to train and develop individual’s skills within the marketing and business support departments, as well as gain insight and experience in related finance areas. One of the first participants of this scheme was Ellie Richards, who now works at WL as a Finance Assistant.

Obviously, the past two years have been like no other and with the outbreak of Covid-19, the Scheme has had to adapt, with the regular bi-annual cohorts being put on hold. Despite this, Chris and the team were determined that the existing group who had joined prior to the first lockdown managed to complete their studies and receive their necessary qualifications. He explains: “One of the biggest obstacles for us has been getting our apprentices both on-site when most theatres and venues have been closed as well as getting them to work closely with existing staff, when so many have been Furloughed or not in the warehouse. That said, we worked hard to put together a schedule which would allow each of the existing apprentices to acquire the remaining credentials they needed and I’m delighted to say the final group from pre-Covid passed in June last year – quite a feat considering we were still in the middle of a global pandemic!”.

The Apprenticeship scheme has won multiple awards.

The past two years have also forced many of those highly-skilled individuals who once worked in the industry to leave due to a lack of work and wider financial support. As such, WL is hoping that its apprenticeship scheme will not only fill the gap so many have left behind but also encourage others to recognise just how vital these skills are. Chris comments: “Essentially, without the skilled individuals who put the live shows and events on, our industry wouldn’t run. It’s been truly disheartening seeing so many of our friends and peers being forced out of the sector that they love for reasons beyond their control. That’s why it’s so important, now more than ever, that we don’t lose the next generation and ensure that we stay committed in our training and support of them; as they will ultimately be the ones leading this industry in the years to come”.

The latest apprentices to join WL last month include Jack Brothwell, Orion Slater and Jessica York, who join the existing group of Beth Gayler, Josef Cole, Muhamad Said and Lukas Rackauskas. With this latest cohort taking the number of WL Apprenticeships to well over 60, it seems that the scheme will simply continue to grow and continue to train the next generation of skilled technical workers.

Chris concludes: “Whilst the last two years have left many in the live events industry clouded in uncertainty, the one thing we were always certain of was the importance of this scheme and how we needed to continue nurturing talent for when our industry returned; something it is now hopefully on its way to doing. Whilst so many who undertake our apprenticeship are incredibly grateful for the skills and knowledge they gain, we, as a company, are truly appreciative to see such hungry and passionate individuals wanting to learn more about the world we all love. To be with such a talented bunch at the start of their careers is a genuine honour and one we hope to continue experiencing for many years to come”.

Applications for the next WL Apprentice cohort will open in late spring/earlier summer. For more information, please visit: https://www.whitelight.ltd.uk/careers/apprenticeships/

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