Apprenticeship Complete
Supporting the next generation of live event professionals is an important part of what we do at CPL, and we’re proud to celebrate the progress of one of our team members, Tom, who has recently completed his Level 3 Live Event Technician Apprenticeship.
Tom joined CPL in April 2024 after studying Music Production at a local college. With a strong interest in audio, the apprenticeship pathway offered the perfect opportunity to develop his skills within the live events industry while gaining hands-on experience across multiple technical disciplines.
Tom was enrolled on the Level 3 Live Event Technician Apprenticeship through Access Creative College, a specialist training provider dedicated to supporting careers in the events and entertainment sector. The programme combines practical industry experience with structured learning, giving apprentices the opportunity to build both technical knowledge and real-world experience.
Although Tom initially chose to specialise in audio, his time working with lighting fixtures and consoles soon sparked a new interest. After several months of working across different areas of the warehouse and on site, he decided to shift his focus towards lighting, where he has continued to develop his skills.
Throughout his apprenticeship, Tom has completed a range of industry training courses to expand his knowledge and capabilities. These include GrandMA console training, Avolites Level 1 and Level 2 courses, Luminex Luminode training, and Shure RF training. Alongside this technical training, he has also gained several important operational qualifications, including his Forklift licence and an IPAF certification for operating scissor lifts and cherry pickers.
Much of Tom’s time has been spent working with the Operations Team in our warehouse, where he plays an important role in maintaining and preparing equipment for upcoming projects. From testing and prepping kit to assisting with updates and repairs, this work ensures that equipment leaves the warehouse ready for the demands of live production.
Alongside his warehouse experience, Tom has also spent plenty of time out on site supporting live events. Over the past two years he has been part of the crew delivering a number of projects, including Camper Calling 2025, Wickedly Tropic 2025 and Tropic Fest 2024, gaining valuable hands-on experience in live production environments.
Tom completed his final apprenticeship assessment in January 2026, marking the official end of the programme. As part of the assessment, he planned, rigged and programmed his own lighting show in our warehouse, using a GrandMA3 console and a range of fixtures from Ayrton, Robe, Arri and ETC. The project demonstrated both his technical ability and the progress he has made throughout the apprenticeship earning him a distinction.
Following the successful completion of his course, Tom has now joined the team as a full-time Audio Visual Technician. In this role he will continue to work closely with the Operations Team, with a particular focus on our lighting equipment, while also supporting a variety of shows on site throughout the year.
We’re delighted to see Tom complete his apprenticeship and progress into a full-time role at CPL. Investing in training and development is something we take seriously, and it’s great to see the next generation of technicians building their careers within the team.
