THE Royal Grammar School has joined forces with Gateshead College and The Sage Gateshead to extend its apprenticeship programme.

The RGS, which has over 1,200 students at its site in Jesmond, is looking to take on a technical theatre apprentice to work behind the scenes in its 300-seat performing arts centre, where they will be trained in all aspects of live theatre and concert production.

They will be the first creative apprentices RGS has taken on, and it comes after the school took on a horticultural apprentice.

Gateshead College will be working closely with the RGS to deliver the 12 month programme in partnership with staff from The Sage Gateshead.

Classroom studies at The Sage Gateshead will cover areas such as technical and production development and customer service, among other skills, as the apprentice progresses towards an intermediate apprenticeship in technical theatre.

Headmaster Dr Bernard Trafford said he was keen to develop another apprenticeship programme after seeing how well they equip people with the skills employers need.

He said: “As a place of education, we are naturally keen, when we can, to apply an educational dimension to appointments to support roles.

“This is another great opportunity.

“Following the success of the grounds maintenance apprenticeship, we’re now looking for someone who’s enthusiastic, motivated and has a keen interest in the theatre and performing arts.

“They will need to work hard, but will benefit from learning skills from our technical manager and head of performing arts that will lay the foundations for a rewarding career in both the theatre and school environment.”

The creative apprenticeship scheme was launched in September 2008 and is an employer-designed and Government-backed scheme, with Gateshead College and The Sage Gateshead being the first training organisations in the North East to offer them.

Cath Critchley, from Gateshead College’s apprenticeship team, said: “We have specifically designed them to meet the needs of the sector, providing a new and exciting way for people of all ages and backgrounds to develop careers within this rapidly growing industry. It’s great to see a school like the RGS, which may not have considered apprenticeships in the past, recognising them as a career route that will deliver significant benefits to employees and the school overall.”