(aka Apprentice or Trainee Lighting Electrician/Technician/Operator,     Lighting Assistant or Trainee Lighting)

An apprentice or trainee is learning to become a fully qualified technician and must become familiar with all the lighting equipment, how it works, and how it is used and maintained.  Apprentices are taken on by specialist lighting companies and are generally moved from one section or department of the company to another, getting to know electrical maintenance, batteries, electronics and dimmers, as well as the electrical installation of the building.  Their work involves such tasks as: testing machines and faultfinding; cleaning, repairing, and maintaining equipment; fixing distribution boards and boxes, and lights; and wiring dimmers and circuit boards. 

An apprenticeship usually takes three years to complete, involving four days per week working in a lighting company, and one day per week on day release attending a college course. 

Responsibilities
Apprentices always work under the close supervision of fully qualified technicians for the first two years of their apprenticeships.  Each section or department of a lighting company has its own Head who helps to train the apprentices.  Health and Safety legislation and procedures are of vital importance when dealing with electricity, and apprentices must be aware of their implications, and must take responsibility for themselves, and act responsibly towards other members of the team. 

Generally film lighting technicians do not become fully qualified until they are 21 years old, at which point they may go "on the road", working on location for a fairly simple film or television shoot, or start working in a television studio, before moving to feature film or commercials work.

Skills
The role of Lighting Technician is physically demanding, the hours are long and the work is very hands-on.  Manual dexterity is essential, as is the ability to work comfortably at heights.  In addition to the practical work, a considerable amount of paperwork must be completed involving, sometimes complex, mathematical calculations. 

Apprentices can expect to be making calculations at "A" level standard by the time they reach the end of their training.  A good memory is required, as many complex formulas are used in order to calculate the requirements for different types of cables.  Good listening and communication skills are needed, plus the ability to work with others as part of a team.  It is useful to obtain a driving licence as soon as possible - eventually an LGV or HGV licence may also be required.

Qualifications/Experience
Lighting companies usually expect applicants to have reached a Grade "C" GCSE in English, Maths and I.T. before starting their apprenticeship.  Apprentices and trainees work for 3 years in total to gain their qualifications, 2 years for Part 1, and 1 year for Part 2 City and Guilds 2330 Certificate in Electro-technical Technology, plus City & Guilds 2381 Certificate in the Requirements for Electrical Installations, which requires an extra 4 days training.   Lighting Technicians undertake further training throughout their career, in order to keep up to date with new equipment and changing regulations.

Individual course accreditation in certain subject areas is currently being piloted. As part of Skillset's and the UK Film Council's Film Skills Strategy, A Bigger Future, a network of Screen Academies and a Film Business Academy have been approved as centres of excellence in education and training for film.

Where to go for more information
Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries. The first sources of information for all jobs in the industry are the National Occupational Standards. Browse Skillset's website for links to our network of training partners, information about training and access to the comprehensive Skillset/BFI course database. Finally, Skillset Careers is UK's only specialist media careers advice service; for detailed media careers information and advice, visit www.skillset.org/careers.