QPAC

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Anyone who has worked even a day in the performing arts industry knows that the work going on behind the scenes is every bit as important as what’s happening under the spotlight on stage.

It’s the hard-working technical and production staff working tirelessly backstage, side stage, above the stage... you name it, they’re always there making sure that everything on stage is perfectly seamless.

There are so many talented individuals in these roles with endless specialty skills and expertise and it’s vital that knowledge gets passed on throughout the industry to existing professionals and to the next generation of production crews.

It’s for this reason that we last year cemented a partnership with Stage Queensland and our friends at Arts Centre Melbourne to deliver a three-year technical traineeship program called TechConnect. The program delivers accredited industry training with the aim of creating sustainable employment opportunities for young people in the arts sector.

Late last year saw the kick-off of the first phase of the three-year program working with 16 Technical Supervisors from venues around Queensland to enable them to deliver on the job training and assessment requirements in their own venues. QPAC was the training hub for this three-week program that included traineeship mentoring sessions and addressed any ‘gap’ training and assessment required to allow the participants to achieve a Certificate IV in Live Production and Technical Services.

QPAC Manager – Technical Training Graham Menzies said the program delivered vital training and upskilling in the areas of entertainment specific safety, flying systems, elevated work platforms (EWP), working safely at heights, production management, mentoring and a first-of-its-kind program addressing mental health and self-care practices focusing on common triggers and issues faced by professionals working in the arts.

“It’s not an overstatement to say that this kind of training and knowledge-sharing is ensuring the future of our industry,” Mr Menzies said.

“Technical crews are the backbone of the performing arts industry and through this partnership program we’re committed to making sure that not only are those who work behind the scenes safe and well-trained but they’re also passing their knowledge on to the next generation.”

We’re pleased to say that future technicians are already waiting in the wings with QPAC’s first Technical Trainees about to be selected to start a 12-month traineeship program. Our first two trainees, selected from a pool of over 140 applicants, will take part in hands-on, practical work experience over the course of the next year to achieve a nationally accredited qualification of a Certificate III in Live Production and Technical Services. The trainees will work across our Production Services Units of Lighting, Audio, Vision, and Staging providing them with a well-rounded knowledge of all aspects of live performance production.

Stay tuned for updates on how our trainees are progressing and other tech training highlights.