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- Requires creative problem-solving ability and organisational skills
- With experience you could become a project manager or systems designer
- Work might include evenings and weekends, though some school or college jobs may be term-time only
As an audiovisual (AV) technician your work could vary, from setting up screens for college lectures to installing sound, video and lighting for conferences or art exhibitions.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Setting up and testing equipment before an event
- Finding and dealing with any faults
- Operating equipment during rehearsals and events
- Checking and servicing equipment
- Managing equipment booking
- Training other people to use the equipment
- Assessing a venue's AV equipment
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You'll work with a wide range of equipment, like projectors, screens, image editing software and video and still cameras. You could work at a college, at a university or at a conference centre. Your working environment may be physically demanding.
You'll need
There is no set entry route to become an audiovisual technician but it may be useful to do a college course like Level 2 Technical Diploma in Digital Audio and Visual Production, Level 3 Diploma in Creative Media Production, or Level 3 Certificate in Technical Theatre: Sound, Light and Stage. You could also consider a T Level in Media, Broadcast and Production.
This would teach you some of the skills needed for the job. You could then try to find a trainee job with a theatre or events company. Employers value experience, so it would improve your chances of finding work if you've got experience of setting up and using audio, visual and computer technology.
You could also get into this job through a creative venue technician or live event technician advanced apprenticeship.
You could volunteer for a charity or school, or join a theatre group to get experience of audio-visual technology and software.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience, you could manage an audio-visual department, specialise in lighting or sound design, or become an events manager. You could also move into equipment and services sales. You could work self-employed or freelance, for example installing audio-visual equipment in people's homes.