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Skills Centre

Resources, training and professional development opportunities from entry-level to mid-career

Props apprentice working in large workshop

Explore the widest range of workplace-delivered placement, training and apprenticeship opportunities of any organisation in the creative arts.

Supported by UK Government investment, the new National Theatre Skills Centre offers resources, training and professional development, with opportunities available nationwide from entry-level to mid-career.

Under the guidance of world-leading experts, our programmes will help you to develop skills, open career pathways and access specialist training for a career in the creative industries.

No matter what your skill set or aspiration, there is a role in theatre for you. Explore pathways to a career in performance, creating productions, business, engineering, technical, digital, hospitality and more.

Take a look at the opportunities available now, with more coming from Autumn 2024.

Get the brochure

Discover careers, develop your skills, learn in the workplace and enrol in apprenticeships or further training, whether at the National Theatre or another provider.

Download our Skills Centre brochure

Discover creative careers

Live and digital events, and resources that showcase the careers available in theatre

A technician showing two people a tech desk

Explore our resources to give you insight and guidance for a career in theatre.

We offer free in-person workshops for 13-25 year-olds to take an in-depth look at a National Theatre production and discover specific aspects of theatre-making.

We will also be attending in-person careers fairs across the country, where you’ll get the chance to meet National Theatre staff.

Discover creative careers

Develop your skills

Hands-on courses led by National Theatre specialists.

Learn in the workplace

Short placements of one week to three months and jobs, developing skills and employability

scenic metal work apprentice, wearing safety goggles, using machinery in workshop, sparks are flying from metalwork.

T-Levels

We are delighted to be lauching T-Levels in September 2024 with partners Lilian Baylis Technology School and Mulberry UTC. BTEC placements in production arts will be offered via schools and colleges in Lambeth.

Join our mailing list

We’ll be in touch with news about new opportunities for skills and training opening throughout the year.

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Professional creative development

A wealth of opportunities for emerging and established artists and practitioners

Apprentice, in props workshop, holing drill and looking at camera
Play Video

Skills Centre trailer

Watch some of the skills being taught as part of the nationwide opportunities for over 5,000 people each year, inspiring future artists, craftspeople and technicians. 

Supporters

Apprenticeships at the National Theatre are supported by Bank of America, Eggardon Trust, The Radcliffe Trust and The de Laszlo Foundation.

Traineeships at the National Theatre are supported by The Rayne Foundation, Maria Björnson Memorial Fund, The Fenton Arts Trust, The Company of Arts Scholars Charitable Trust and The Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters.

Young People’s Programmes are supported by Bank of America, The Maurice Hatter Foundation and the Richard Radcliffe Trust. With thanks to the MAP Fund.

Creative Careers enabled by TikTok.

Find out more about supporting our work

Photos
Apprentices 2023 © Cameron Slater Photography | Young Technicians & Lifting the Lid 2023 © Belinda Lawley. Shut Up, I’m Dreaming set designed by Peter Butler. | Linbury Prize 2023 © Ian Tillotson
Staff Director Benjamin Kwasi-Burrell © Marc Brenner | New Views / Max Rayne © Helen Murray | Atri Bannerjee / Peter Hall © X | Theatreworks 2023 © Emma Hare