Update

We are working with Lucy Kerbel from Tonic, an organisation which supports the arts and creative industries to achieve greater gender equality in their work and workforces. Tonic are helping us dissect the way we run meetings – who speaks and when, how decisions are made, how we discuss problems – and then help creative ways to achieve meaningful change.

We launched Accelerate, a learning & development opportunity for current NT staff from a Black, Asian and minority ethnic background and those who identify as d/Deaf or disabled.

For the second year, staff ran and attended a lively fortnight of internal diversity discussion events. The series 'We Need To Talk… ' has addressed a spectrum of topics. Most recently, the discussions ranged from ‘Making life easier for a d/Deaf person in the workplace’, ‘Masculinity and Male Mental Health’ through to ‘Inclusivity in the Workplace’.

A previous event 'My ‘Fro and Me: How can we embrace Diversity in Wigs, Hair & Make-Up?' kick-started improved provision for non-European hair and skin types, so actors of all ethnicities will experience the same level of skill from our Wigs, Hair & Make-Up professionals.

In addition to supporting our current staff, we are also taking steps to make sure that the next generation – whether technicians, creatives, administrators or managers – come from the broadest possible pool of talent.

The Learning department have now run 3 Work Experience programmes for groups of local pupils, particularly focusing on backstage, administration and commercial operations areas to broaden their awareness of the many and varied roles within theatre. We have also just begun a 10 week technical training course for 14 – 18 year olds, targeting girls and BAME young people as part of our aim to contribute to diversifying the technical workforce.

The NT has been on the steering group for a new Creative Venue Technician apprenticeship, a Level 4 Diploma in Production and Technical, as well as the creation of a new National College for the Creative and Cultural industries.

The NT is a partner of Mulberry Technical College, a new college which opened in Bow September 2017. The college offers a unique curriculum and a wholly new progression route for young people into employment in technical theatre, theatre production and digital and creative media.

We’ve added BSL interpretation to our Careers at the National Theatre film series, and have standardised the use of captioning on our videos, to make sure that our online content is accessible to everyone.

Finally, we were delighted that Our Recruitment Day and Inductions for the Commercial Operations team won two of the 2016 People Awards from Caterer.com. They were commended for actively encouraging applications from all walks of life including those with learning difficulties, and working in conjunction with organisations like Action on Disability, Prince’s Trust and The Camden Society. In 2017 we have been shortlisted in 3 categories: Candidate Experience; Diversity; Leadership in Recruitment, Retention & Development.