Is a city and guilds qualification enough?

[sparklysheep]

Is city and guilds theatre electrics 1 and 2 enough to get into the industry. I'm having a terrible time with uni because I don't have the standard entry requirements and I'm not a mature student. I've found a course at city of westminster college in theatre electrics which sounds good. if I did that course would I be able to work in the industry till I am a mature student and could gain entry to a degree/dip HE course? I have some contacts in the industry do you think if I had the city and guilds they'd take me on?

 

thanks

[TechNic]

I did that course some years ago. See here for the details. At that time (2000 I think) I got a job doing some West-End followspotting and it was a requirement that I held or was studying for that qualification.

 

To be honest, the course itself was fairly useless, but the contact I made through it were great. After the lectures we all used to go down to the local pub and spend a few hours trying to figure out what the lecturer had been going on about! The college owns the lovely Cockpit Theatre, but for some reason I only went there once and that for a written exam in the room upstairs! The course is basically an electrical course with very little direct tuition on theatrical elements or stage lighting design.

 

I think that the course is pretty rubbish, but there is every chance things have improved since I was on it. And if I hadn't done it then I be would be where am now - and I am very happy with my current position. So as a means to an end I think it is probably worth doing, but don't expect it to train you to be a competent theatre electrician. I have the piece of paper that says I am, but I wouldn't trust myself to do a lot of the things that I was supposed to have been taught! Of course now I have been working in the industry I have filled most of the gaps in my inadequate education through learning by doing.

 

PM me if you want to talk more about the course.

 

Cheers,

Nic

[Tomo]

Is it enough? No!

 

Is it useful? Yes!

 

Remember that qualifications are not everything - but they are important.

Your attitude is very important (actually, this applies to every walk of life), and you also need experience.

 

Most importantly, you need to enjoy the course - if you don't enjoy it, you won't learn very much!

[Denimheaven]

Its a strange one, you cant allow enough for experience, but in this day of Health and Crazy gone mad, qualifications appear to open doors to all I blagged my way into my first job on Gang Shows and have never looked back, I would recommend trying to get some casual work in the dept of your choice and after a short while you will know where you want to take your career. Check out the ABTT website for their training.