STUDENTS will have the chance to gain an accreditation as a sound and lighting technician from next year.
The Department of Education and Children's Youth Service is offering young people the chance to do a 10 week course which once completed leaves them with an Open College Network (OCN) certification as a sound and lighting technician at level one.
Starting in January, at the Douglas Youth Centre in Kensington Road, the course will give young people an insight into setting up and operating sound and lighting equipment for events.
The group will also go behind the scenes at the Villa Marina and Gaiety Theatre as part of the course.
Fiona Helleur, head of youth arts with the Department of Education and Children, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to learn something new and gain a fully portable qualification that can be added to your CV that will demonstrate to any potential employer intelligence, commitment, and flexibility.
"Sound and lighting are not just used in the theatre but anywhere that people gather to enjoy themselves. Martin is one of our most experienced instructors and we value his skills immensely."
OCN tutor Martin Macfarlane said: "This is an amazing opportunity for young people to gain a qualification in a specialist area that is otherwise unavailable locally. One great benefit of the OCN is the flexibility we have to adapt for the particular needs of our learners.
"After completing the programme young people will have the opportunity to use their new-found skill as part of the Youth Service's technical team which operates sound and lighting equipment for live events.
"Over the past two years graduates have assisted with many community-based events all over the Island. Some of their biggest achievements to date include operating all technical aspects of the Villa Marina for the 100 years of Girl Guiding, the Gaiety Theatre for the Youth Service variety show Ctrl_Alt_Del, and – the most bizarre request to date – creating a temporary sound and lighting rig inside the old prison for an urban street sports event.
"This is a great method of getting young people actively involved with performing arts in a challenging, yet rewarding, position. Young people grow in confidence while developing life skills in areas such as timekeeping, teamwork, and responsibility."
Martin and fellow OCN tutor Paul Ellison will lead the course. Learners must be able to attend Monday evening workshops and be aged 12 to 19. There is a one-off registration fee of £5.
For further information or to register, contact the Youth Office on 01624 686057 or email m.macfarlane@doe.sch.im
