Over a year ago now I started an Apprenticeship in Community Arts Administration here at the Gate Theatre.

Over a year ago! It’s unbelievable how quickly this year has flown by. Unbelievable that over a year ago I started a professional career in an industry I actually like and dreamed about since I was knee high to a grasshopper.  

Thanks to my level 2 Apprenticeship I now have a more precise idea of what I would like to do in the future. I still haven’t made up my mind yet, but that’s what a learning apprenticeship is about. And who said you can only do a single thing anyway!

This is why apprenticeships matter and are so important!

Although I’ve always been a not- so-bad student (or so I like to think) during all my school years, going to university has never been part of my plan. I knew it wasn’t for me. Apprenticeships offer so much to people who’d love to learn outside of the traditional way, the opportunity to learn while getting essential work experience. And, let’s be honest, that’s the key thing to have on a CV when applying to jobs (well most of the time!).

I somehow managed to pass all my Level 2 exams and get the Community Arts Administration certificate.  Thanks to this, and thanks to the people at the Gate Theatre who still believe I can get even better at my job and excel further at school, I am now about to start the Level 3 certificate (Community Arts Management). On the work side, I am still working at the Gate, but my job and its title have had a little step up. I am now the Theatre Administrator. That basically means I will have more responsibilities and, the way I see it, a more grown up way of getting things done.

At first, I actually got scared a little, doubted myself a bit, but there comes a time when one has to really get into the grown up world. And the time (for me) is now! Luckily my colleagues here, especially my Line Manager Chrissy and Clare our Executive Director, do believe I have some hidden resources and capacity to do the job and pass all the Level 3 exams. So hopefully in a year’s time I will be able to say “Let’s pop the Champagne!”
 
 
If doing an apprenticeship sounds like something you’d like to do, these websites might be of help:
http://www.londontheatreconsortium.com (their twitter account: @LTC_Theatres), https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch, http://www.artsjobs.org.uk.
Follow the Gate on twitter (@gatetheatre), we often tweet apprenticeship or job opportunities.
And if you would like to know more about what’s like to be an apprentice or if you have any questions don’t hesitate to send me an email suzy@gatetheatre.co.uk

PS: I just found out I've been nominated for the Creative and Cultural Skills Apprentice of the Year Award! How great is that!