We are championing our next generation of talent this Creative Careers Month with two major milestones: the launch of the UK’s first Scenic Construction Technician Apprenticeship and our most interactive Sparks Live careers event to date.
We are breaking new ground with the arrival of its newest recruits, Julia Frost, Dash Hingley and Ella Smart, who made up part of the UK’s first-ever cohort of the brand-new Scenic Construction Technician Apprenticeship in September.
This pioneering programme delivered by Creative Alliance and Skills England is the first qualification to bring together carpentry, drawing and metalwork into one integrated, multi-skilled pathway through the apprenticeship. Traditionally taught separately, these disciplines have been combined at DRPG thanks to our fully in-house approach across design, build, film, digital and live experiences. The result is a new generation of scenic talent equipped to work with versatility across every corner of the craft.
Head of Stage and Scenic, Becky Cubitt, who played a key role in designing this apprenticeship, commented, “It’s been amazing to help create a programme that reflects how the industry really works,” said Becky. “To now be offering it through DRPG feels like a full-circle moment. Scenic skills are so transferable, they open doors into every kind of creative environment, from workshops and theatres to studios and live events.”
Delivered in partnership with social enterprise Creative Alliance, the apprenticeship blends hands-on training with structured learning. Noel Dunne, Managing Director of Creative Alliance says, "We are delighted to be working with DRPG, its been a long journey getting these niche apprenticeships off the ground and we have been working with key employers and Skills England for the last few years to ensure that recognised apprenticeship training can be delivered and these skills are not lost. DRPG taking on these apprentices is a huge step forward in developing the best talent pipeline for them and the UK live events sector."
For Dash Hingley, the chance to be part of something so new is just the beginning. “I’m really excited to be starting my stage and scenic apprenticeship,” Dash said. “It’s been great getting hands on experience building and setting up projects, and I’m looking forward to learning more about the whole process from design through to installation, as well as the opportunities that DRPG will provide for me."
Alongside the apprenticeship, Dash sits on our NextGen Board, a group of 18–24-year-olds shaping the future of the business and championing young creative voices. During this year’s Sparks Live, Dash led a hands-on workshop in scenic construction, inspiring over 150 young people from colleges and universities across the UK.
Coinciding with Creative Careers Month, Sparks Live returned to our Hartlebury campus, welcoming 180 students eager to explore the vast range of roles within the creative industries. Hosted by our NextGen Board, the event gave young people unique access to agency experts and real-world creative environments.
The agenda featured a diverse range of interactive sessions, offering students hands-on experiences and insights into various creative fields. Highlights included brand storytelling through superhero personas in marketing, a behind-the-scenes exploration of large-scale live event production, and teamwork in digital projects. Students also delved into how AI can enhance creative output, participated in practical scenic craft workshops, and tackled the fast-paced world of film production by producing a live newsroom broadcast. Each theme was designed to showcase the breadth of opportunities within the creative industries and engage students with real-world challenges and collaboration.
With the launch of a national-first apprenticeship programme, a thriving NextGen Board, and its largest Sparks Live event yet, we continue to lead the way in nurturing future talent across the creative industries.