The Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT) is using the opportunity of the forthcoming PLASA Show, at London’s Earls Court, to launch its new ABTTech Assessment.
On Tuesday 11 September and Wednesday 12 September, 2:00pm-2:30pm each day, as part of The Theatres Trust Ecovenue Stage Programme at PLASA, members of the ABTTech working committee shall be on hand to explain how this new ABTTech assessment allows working technicians to gain formal recognition for their competence – an assessment that focuses on the technician’s actual job in the workplace.
Designed for working technicians, to give them the recognition they deserve, it identifies their skill, knowledge and, most importantly, their experience, in the practice of technical theatre. Underpinned by current legislation, regulation and practice, ABTTech is aimed at employed technical and freelance staff, technical managers and employers and completes the ABTT framework for supporting and recognising vocational competence.
These two sessions are complemented by a more comprehensive seminar on Wednesday 12 September, 3:30pm-4:30pm, as part of PLASA Professional Development Programme: Back to Basics.
"Are You Competent, How Do You Prove It and What Do You Get For Your Time and Money?" will not only explain how the language of ‘competence, accreditation, verification and validation’ relates to the working technician but also outline a means of gaining formal acknowledgement for the professional competence gained by a technician through their working experience.
The seminar looks in detail at ways to gain accreditation through the new ABTTech assessment and recaps on how TAP – the Technical Access Passport scheme – is a way for the technician to have all that verifies and validates their competence with them at all times.
Speakers include Sebastian Barnes (freelance trainer and assessor and member of the ABTT Training & Education Committee), Tom Mannings (head of technical, English National Opera) and Robin Townley (associate executive officer, ABTT).