National Skills Academy (UK-wide)
Background
There is currently a real shortage of skilled staff, despite the training options available.
Vision
Our aim is to deliver world-class training for the world's greatest stages.
How it will work?
The National Skills Academy (NSA) is seeking to create a specialist training network for people working in backstage and technical live music and theatre.
This is a nationwide project that will be delivered across the UK in a series of partnership hubs. The NSA will operate throughout the country, harnessing the skills, staff, buildings and facilities of the music and theatre sectors.
Who it will be for?
The NSA is open to anyone seeking to join or already working backstage or offstage. If you want to be a technician, a stage manager, a rigger, or any of the many jobs which support theatre and live entertainment, the NSA offers you the chance to find the right training.
What it will offer?
Our training courses will take place in theatre and music venues around the country. Our industry professionals will devise and develop training courses, using the latest equipment from industry leaders. 
Employer and provider involvement
During the consultation process Creative & Cultural Skills spoke to venues, touring companies, concert promoters, festivals, theatres, opera and ballet companies - together with key representative bodies including BECTU, Equity, Musicians' Union, SOLT/TMA and PLASA - the Professional Lighting and Sound Association. The NSA offers businesses the chance to become fully involved in developing theatre and live music education.
The growth of live music and theatre in England has presented us with a sizeable challenge. The shortage of skilled and qualified staff threatens to limit our ability to reap the commercial and creative rewards of our success and play a central role in a world-class creative economy
View the National Skills Academy promotional video: