ABTT Automation courses NOW AVAILABLE
Theatre Automation needs to find its place in formal training and career development. I think we might be getting there.
Several years ago I wrote a paper for ABTTAC (the ABTT Automaton Committee), to draw attention to common Automation roles associated with large scale theatrical productions, and the expected knowledge and experience that should be required for each of those roles.
I’ve always felt strongly that there ought to be a clear career progression within this field and this paper laid out how cumulative years of experience can, and should, bring knowledge and a clear demonstration of commitment to your trade.
The hope of this was to encourage employers to recognise the level of experience and knowledge needed to reliably support their productions, as well as help those wanting to get in to Automation understand the best path for their own career development.
I believe that the paper still stands but it is missing a fundamental aspect of how we, as Automation professionals, can break in to the industry and indeed continue to learn and develop our skills with a more formal, and recognised, standard.
Automation training, in a formal environment, has long been a bit of a head scratcher for me. I understand how to train and nurture people on a one to one basis, on specific systems. And I know how to explain the fundamental principles behind running an Automation Department, but I’ve never really known how to put together a training course that is consistent, system agnostic, and comprehensive. Something that the industry could get behind and recognise as an important and relevant part of employee career development.
Now, though, decades in the making; my good friends at Resolution Production Services, Gavin Wells and Alex Hitchcock, in collaboration with the ABTT, have put together some courses that place Automation training on the map.
ABTT one day Automation Foundation
If you are looking to get in to Automation but don’t know where to begin, then take a look at the one day Automation Foundation course, as part of your continuous professional development.
This course covers topics such as:
What is Theatrical Automation?
Where and why is Automation used?
What are the possibilities and limitations of Automation?
What types of Automation are there and how are they applied?
What is best practices for Automation?
What key words and communications are needed to work in Automation?
What’s the basic topology of Automation?
What are common system components?
What are the fundamentals of control systems and control loops?
What safety protocols do I need to know in the application of Automation?
What are the Automation Team’s common operation?
You might be able to fund enrolment in to this course yourself, but also ask your employer to see if they’d be wiling to invest in your career development.
The first of these courses is 14th April 2025 at The Backstage Centre, so book NOW to reserve your place and kickstart your career in Automation.
ABTT Silver Award for Automation Technicians
For those who are already working as Automation Professionals but want to develop their knowledge and understanding, this Silver Award is the second step in the ABTT’s professional development courses for Automation and will be delivered over five days.
This course is an in depth course and I would sincerely suggest that employers consider offering this training to all Automation staff.
Key information covered will include the application and use of automation, systems and components, team communication and operations, system operations and show operations.
On completion of the Silver Award, candidates will be able to demonstrate a theoretical and practical understanding of the key specialist requirements of a Theatre Automation Technician including the relevant health and safety legislations and associated approved Codes of Practice.
The ABTT Silver Award for Theatre Automation Technicians is currently scheduled to be piloted in July as part of the ABTT’s annual Summer School. If you would like to be notified when this course goes on sale please email admin@abtt.org.uk
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