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L5Apprenticeship6842 approved providers
The Level 5 Audiovisual technician, and the 2 providers delivering it.
Provide a broad range of professional solutions for communication.
About this apprenticeship
What this apprenticeship covers
Apprentices learn to plan, install, configure, and operate the full range of AV hardware and software used in live, hybrid, and permanent installations. That includes audio mixing desks, wireless microphone systems, public address systems, video cameras, vision mixers, projectors, display screens, lighting rigs, and videoconferencing platforms. Alongside the technical skills, the programme covers project management principles, budget awareness, health and safety compliance, and client communication. Apprentices also develop the ability to diagnose faults under pressure and adapt to late change requests from clients and event organisers.
Day-to-day responsibilities
Week to week, an apprentice might rig and test a wireless microphone system for a conference, operate a multi-camera setup for a hybrid event, or configure a videoconferencing platform for a client's meeting room. They will mix live audio, manage lighting control software, and integrate projectors or displays into presentations. They document technical setups, liaise with event organisers and performers, and troubleshoot signal flow issues as they arise. Some work is carried out at height or outside standard office hours, depending on the employer and event schedule.
Career outlook
On completing this apprenticeship, typical job titles include AV technician, AV support technician, and lighting and AV technician. From there, experienced technicians often progress to AV systems designer, project manager, or lead technician roles. Employers span a wide range of sectors: corporate venues, universities, hospitals, law firms, government agencies, museums, and live event companies. Both fixed-site roles, such as in-house AV support for a financial institution, and touring event roles are common pathways, giving qualified technicians genuine flexibility in how their career develops.
2 approved providers
Sorted by achievement rate.
Access Creative College
Access Creative College is a national independent training provider specialising in creative educati...
Career Crafters
Career Crafters is an apprenticeship and recruitment provider that focuses on helping small to mediu...
Career outcomes
Roles after completion
Completers typically move into AV Technician, AV Support Technician, or AV Internal Events Technician posts, working with minimal supervision on the full production cycle: specifying kit, building and configuring systems, and operating them live. Some move directly into Collaboration and AV Experience Technician roles, focusing on hybrid meeting infrastructure in corporate environments. Others take Lighting and AV Technician positions in venues or touring production companies. The level 5 qualification supports independent operation from day one rather than a junior support function.
Progression paths
Within three to five years, technicians commonly advance to Senior AV Technician or AV Systems Engineer, taking on project ownership and client-facing responsibilities. From there, two distinct tracks open up: a technical specialist route into AV Systems Designer or AV Solutions Architect, producing detailed system designs and integration specifications, or a management route into AV Manager, Production Manager, or Technical Operations Manager with responsibility for teams and budgets. Chartered or vendor-specific accreditation (such as CTS from AVIXA) often supports both tracks.
Where these roles sit
Employers span a wide range of sectors. Corporate AV sits in law firms, banks, financial services providers, and government agencies requiring permanent meeting room and hybrid conferencing infrastructure. Events and production companies hire for touring and venue-based work, from theatres and conference centres to stadiums. Universities, hospitals, museums, and galleries employ AV staff in site-specific roles. The mix is heavily private sector, though public sector institutions, including the NHS and higher education, represent a consistent share of permanent posts.
How it's assessed
How the apprenticeship is assessed
Throughout the programme, the apprentice builds competence in a technically demanding role, covering audio systems, video production, lighting, networking, and project management across a range of real workplace settings. Learning happens alongside employment, with the apprentice applying knowledge and skills in live situations, from configuring wireless microphone systems to managing hybrid events. Before final assessment, the apprentice and employer confirm readiness at a gateway point, demonstrating that the required knowledge, skills, and behaviours have been met. Final assessment then confirms occupational competence. Assessment arrangements for many standards are currently being updated, so check the standard's gov.uk page for the current specification.
What learners need to prepare
From early in the programme, apprentices should keep a record of the work they complete, including project setups, technical problem-solving, client interactions, and any work at height or under time pressure. Waiting until the end to gather evidence makes the gateway process harder. Close, ongoing contact with both the employer and training provider helps ensure the apprentice's day-to-day work maps to the standard's requirements and that any gaps in experience are identified and addressed in good time.
Choosing a provider
What good looks like
Look for providers with achievement rates above 65% on their FATP profile, ideally above 75%, and check that both employer and apprentice satisfaction scores are strong. For this standard specifically, ask whether the provider has access to working AV rigs: mixing desks, wireless mic systems, lighting control hardware, vision mixers, and videoconferencing infrastructure. Apprentices need hands-on time with real equipment, not just theory. Providers with industry connections across both corporate AV (meeting rooms, hybrid events) and live event contexts will better reflect the breadth of environments technicians actually work in.
Red flags to watch for
Be cautious of providers who can't show you their physical training facilities or who rely heavily on simulated scenarios for practical skills that require real hardware. A high enrolment volume paired with a declining achievement rate warrants a direct conversation. Providers who can't point to alumni working in AV roles, or who give vague answers about how they keep their curriculum current with platforms and equipment, are worth scrutinising. The technology in this field moves quickly: outdated software versions or unfamiliarity with current videoconferencing and media server platforms is a meaningful gap.
Questions to ask before you commit
- What AV equipment and software do apprentices train on, and how recently has it been updated?
- How do you cover both site-specific corporate environments and live event contexts, given that apprentices may work in either?
- Can you show us the achievement rate for this standard specifically, and how has it changed over the past two years?
- How do you structure practical time on audio mixing, lighting control, and multi-camera setups, and what ratio of delivery is hands-on versus classroom?
- What does your end-point assessment preparation look like, and what support do apprentices get if they need to resit?
- How do you handle employers whose apprentices work non-standard hours or touring patterns?
- Can you put us in contact with employers who have already used you for this apprenticeship?
Common questions
What entry requirements must a candidate meet before starting this apprenticeship?
There are no nationally mandated entry requirements set in the standard, so employers set their own criteria. In practice, most employers look for some prior exposure to AV equipment, IT confidence, and the ability to work in varied environments including at height. Candidates must be employed in a suitable AV role for the duration. If English and maths are not already at Level 2, apprentices will need to achieve that before gateway.
How long does the apprenticeship take and how is the time split between work and learning?
The typical duration is 24 months, though this can vary depending on prior experience and employer context. Apprentices are employed throughout and apply their learning directly in the workplace. A portion of contracted hours must be spent on off-the-job training, but the exact percentage is subject to revision under current Skills England reforms. Check the current specification on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education pages on gov.uk for the latest requirement.
How is the apprenticeship assessed and what is the end-point assessment?
Before taking the end-point assessment, apprentices must pass through gateway, where the employer and training provider confirm the apprentice has developed the required knowledge, skills, and behaviours. Assessment models for many standards are being updated, so check the current specification on gov.uk for the precise methods that apply to this standard. Generally, apprentices must demonstrate competence across the full occupation, including technical AV tasks, project management, and client communication, rather than just passing a written exam.
How does an employer pay for this apprenticeship?
The funding band for this standard is £18,000, which is the maximum government contribution toward training and assessment costs. Large employers with an apprenticeship levy account use those funds directly. Smaller employers without a levy account pay 5% of the training cost and the government covers the remaining 95%. Employers with fewer than 50 staff taking on an apprentice aged 16 to 18 pay nothing. Funding covers the training provider's fees and end-point assessment, not the apprentice's salary.
What does an audiovisual technician apprentice actually do day to day?
Day-to-day work depends on the employer's setting. In a corporate or institutional role, the apprentice will set up and operate videoconferencing systems, manage displays and projectors, and support hybrid meetings or internal events. In a live events context, they will rig and operate sound systems, lighting rigs, and cameras in venues of varying sizes. Across both settings, they configure wireless microphones, troubleshoot signal flow issues, liaise with clients and event organisers, and maintain project documentation.
Where can an apprentice progress after completing this apprenticeship?
Completion at Level 5 positions technicians well for senior AV roles such as lead technician, systems integrator, or AV project manager. Some move into specialist areas such as lighting design, broadcast production, or networked AV systems. Others progress into management or client-facing roles within AV companies or in-house teams. Further study options include relevant higher education qualifications in audio technology, broadcast media, or project management, depending on the direction the individual wants to take.
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Curated by Alex Lockey, FATP founder and editor. Last reviewed: .
Sources include the apprenticeship's official specification on apprenticeships.gov.uk, Skills England guidance, IfATE archive records, DWP funding bands, and provider data sourced directly from the public Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR). Standard reference: 684.
Some sections on this page were drafted with AI assistance from published source data and reviewed by a human editor before publication. See our editorial methodology for how we maintain this content. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.