Two apprentices from Solihull College & University Centre have been showcasing their skills whilst working on one of the UK’s premiere pantomimes at the Birmingham Hippodrome.
Laura Gilbert and Tegan Payne secured their 18-month Creative Industries Production Technician apprenticeships after undergoing the Creative Venue Technician Bootcamp at Solihull College & University Centre, funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.
The bootcamps have been co-designed with local venues including the Hippodrome to ensure students receive the hands-on skills they need to progress or begin a career in the creative industries.
As part of their apprenticeships, the pair are currently working on technical elements such as lighting and stage management for the Peter Pan panto. TV star Alison Hammond, who is playing the role of The Magical Mermaid, commented: “Myself and the cast of Peter Pan are really proud to support Laura and Tegan as they start out in their careers here at Birmingham Hippodrome. We didn’t even know they were just starting their journey as they are so good!”
College Bootcamp Manager, Sophie Jolly, commented: “We are so proud of Laura and Tegan. It’s great to see people who are so passionate about the creative arts working in the industry they love. We design the bootcamps to ensure the learners hit the ground running and they can fill the gaps in the creative industries. This Creative Venue Technician bootcamp was a collaborative piece with theatres across the West Midlands. Our bootcamps are going from strength to strength and are the perfect stepping stone to working in the arts.”
After finishing school Laura, worked full time in retail but knew she had a passion for creativity. She came across the Creative Venue Technician Bootcamp which looked the perfect route for her to take steps into the industry.
25-year-old Laura said: “I’ve always loved live events so working with Alison and the cast and being part of the behind-the-scenes team at the panto is like a dream come true. The bootcamp prepared me for this apprenticeship by developing my technical skills in a range of areas such as lighting, stage management, set and costume design.
She continued: “Being able to train and work with industry professionals also gave me the confidence to progress in my career by taking up the apprenticeship opportunity at the Hippodrome. I’ve been able to combine my love of performance and creativity into a technical career and I can’t wait to work on my next production.”
Fellow bootcamper, 20-year-old Tegan, added, “The bootcamp gave me the chance to learn new skills and use my creativity. But the best thing was the experience it gave me of working in different venues which helped develop my range of skills. I also got to meet a lot of highly experienced people, and this helped me land this apprenticeship with the Hippodrome. It has opened up a world of opportunities and helped me become part of an industry in a way I never thought would be possible.”
Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, commented: “The show must go on – and thanks to our creative bootcamps, it can! These programs are unlocking incredible opportunities for talented young people like Laura and Tegan, who are now working alongside one of the UK’s biggest TV stars at the Birmingham Hippodrome. We are opening doors for thousands of people across the region and giving them a step up into a range of exciting careers. Already we’ve delivered 43,000 courses with plans to deliver thousands more, meaning everyone can have access to high quality jobs that help them reach their potential.”
