To safely design and construct bespoke scenic elements.
Apprentices learn to construct bespoke scenic elements, including flats, platforms, stairs, doors and floors, using carpentry, metal fabrication and basic draughting techniques. They read and interpret technical drawings, check materials for defects, and produce their own basic 2D construction drawings where required. The programme covers MIG welding to BS4872, safe use and maintenance of tools and equipment, and compliance with relevant regulations including COSHH and CDM 2015. Sustainability is threaded throughout, with apprentices expected to minimise waste and consider environmental impact when selecting materials and methods.
Week to week, an apprentice measures, cuts, drills, welds and joins wood and metal to build scenic components and larger assemblies. They pre-fit assemblies before breaking them down for transport or delivery, and they repair and maintain sets during a production's run. They read complex technical drawings, communicate with designers about the interpretation of a brief, and work alongside carpenters, fabricators, scenic artists and stage crew. During fit-up and production periods, evening and weekend working is normal. Between productions, time goes on tool maintenance, material checks and storage.
Completing this apprenticeship typically leads to roles such as set carpenter, workshop technician, fabricator or CNC operator. Experienced technicians can progress to lead carpenter or construction manager positions. Employers span theatre companies, film and TV production houses, live events contractors and commercial scenic workshops. There is also work in conference venues, theme parks, exhibitions and themed installations. The skills transfer well across sectors, giving technicians flexibility to move between theatrical, broadcast and commercial environments throughout their career.
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Completers typically step into roles such as Set Carpenter, Workshop Technician, or Fabricator within a scenic construction workshop or production company. Some move into CNC Operator positions where digital fabrication is central to the workshop's output. Others take on Workshop Assistant roles specialising in carpentry, metalwork, or draughting, depending on where their skills are strongest. These are hands-on, production-facing positions responsible for building scenic elements to a designer's specification from the first day.
Within three to five years, many progress to Senior Set Carpenter, Lead Fabricator, or Senior Workshop Technician. From there, two tracks open up. The leadership route leads toward Construction Manager or Head of Construction, overseeing project timelines, team coordination, and budget for scenic builds. The specialist route goes deeper into technical draughting, CNC and digital fabrication, or sustainable construction methods, with some practitioners developing reputations as specialist consultants across multiple productions or clients.
The primary employers are scenic construction workshops, theatre production companies, and film and TV studios. West End and regional repertory theatres, touring production companies, broadcast studios, and large-scale live events firms all hire for these skills. Beyond performance venues, theme parks, exhibition fit-out companies, and specialist retail display contractors also recruit scenic construction technicians. The sector spans independent specialist workshops supplying multiple clients and larger in-house departments within publicly funded arts organisations and commercial production houses.
Throughout the programme, apprentices build competence in the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for the role while in paid employment. This covers practical construction techniques across wood, metal and sustainable materials, reading and producing technical drawings, working safely under relevant health and safety legislation, and communicating effectively with designers, production teams and other departments. Before final assessment, a readiness check, commonly called a gateway, confirms that the apprentice has met the required standard. Final assessment then verifies that the apprentice can perform the full role independently. Assessment models for many standards are currently being updated, so check the standard's gov.uk page for the current specification.
Apprentices benefit from keeping records of their work throughout the programme rather than trying to reconstruct evidence at the end. This means documenting real tasks, such as constructing scenic elements, working from technical drawings, and applying health and safety procedures, as they arise on the job. Working closely with both the employer and the training provider to understand what evidence is required early on makes the gateway readiness check more straightforward. Consistent attention to detail in day-to-day work, and a habit of reflecting on what each task demonstrates, puts apprentices in the strongest position for final assessment.
Look for providers with an achievement rate above 65% on their FATP profile, and read any learner reviews for comments on workshop quality and practical time. Because this standard spans carpentry, metal fabrication and technical drawing, strong providers should run or have access to genuine scenic construction facilities, not just generic joinery or engineering workshops. Check whether the training team has direct industry experience in theatre, film, TV or live events, and ask whether apprentices are exposed to actual production timescales, including fit-up conditions. Employer satisfaction scores matter here: the standard requires close collaboration across departments, so provider engagement with employers should be active throughout delivery.
Be cautious of providers delivering high learner volumes but showing flat or declining achievement rates on their FATP profile. For this standard specifically, a provider who cannot clearly describe how metalwork and welding (including MIG coding to BS4872) is taught alongside carpentry and draughting is covering only part of the occupation. Vague answers about access to scenic construction workshops, or a curriculum that leans heavily on classroom theory with little practical production exposure, should give pause. Providers unable to point to completers working in theatre, live events or film and TV workshops are worth questioning.
There are no nationally set entry qualifications for this apprenticeship. Employers typically look for some practical experience or interest in carpentry, metalwork or a related craft. The apprentice must be employed for the duration of the programme. Employers set their own criteria, so requirements vary. Some may ask for GCSEs in maths and English, as apprentices will need to work with measurements and technical drawings from the start.
The typical duration is around 30 months, though this can vary depending on the apprentice's prior experience and employer circumstances. The apprentice works in the role throughout, gaining skills on the job while also completing structured learning. Current rules on off-the-job training hours are subject to revision under ongoing Skills England reforms. Check the current funding rules on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education page at gov.uk for the latest requirements.
Before the end-point assessment, the apprentice must pass through a gateway, at which point the employer, training provider and apprentice confirm the required knowledge, skills and behaviours have been demonstrated. The end-point assessment for this standard is being reviewed as part of wider reforms. Check the current assessment plan on the gov.uk standard page for up-to-date detail on the specific methods used, which may include practical tasks and a professional discussion.
The funding band for this standard is £23,000, which is the maximum amount of apprenticeship funding that can be used. Levy-paying employers draw the cost from their digital apprenticeship service account. Smaller employers who do not pay the levy typically contribute 5% of the training cost, with the government funding the remaining 95%. If you are a small employer taking on an apprentice aged 16 to 18, government funding may cover the full cost. Speak to your chosen training provider to confirm your position.
Day-to-day work involves building bespoke scenic elements such as flats, platforms, stairs and structural frames using carpentry and metal fabrication techniques. The apprentice reads technical drawings, marks out and cuts materials, operates welding equipment to MIG welding standards, and checks materials for defects before and during construction. They pre-fit large assemblies, prepare scenic elements for transportation, and carry out repairs and maintenance during a production's run. Work happens in workshops and on site, including evenings and weekends during fit-up periods.
Completers typically move into roles such as set carpenter, fabricator, workshop technician, CNC operator or sustainable set builder. With experience, progression towards a lead carpenter or construction manager role is a realistic path. Some go on to work across theatre, film, TV, live events and themed installations. Further qualifications at Level 4 or above in construction, design or production management are an option for those wanting to develop into supervisory or design-adjacent roles.
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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: 754.
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.