Information Request :: Industry Electricians

Hi Everyone!

I am in the processing of searching for a licensed Electrician that primarily does work in the Entertainment industry. I am thinking about doing an apprenticeship as an Electrician, but would prefer not to only work on domestic jobs.

I have a strong interest in the industry, and have been involved in Lighting, Sound, AV, General Stage Management, Rigging & Animatronics. Although I am still currently completing my VCE in Melbourne, I have completed several short courses including my CIII in Entertainment (Lighting). I have toured around Australia on several occasions, as well as overseas (specifically, the UK).

Any information you can provide me would be a fantastic asset.

Thank you!

Best Regards, Chris Hocking.

I can’t give you any Electrical Contractors names in Melbourne. However may I suggest that you contact a few Commercial Theatre Companies such as the ‘Mariner Group’, who own about 6 theatres there. However most do not employ Licensed electricians as such at best only Restricted or Limited licences Techies - Although I would suggest this is also a myth in the East as most are not licensed in anyway. When they need a specialist electrical installations, they deal with local contractors available from the phone directory otherwise the techies try & fix it. This happens throughout the Industry -as it’s cheaper to have pick it ups do it & hope for the best.
You might be better off gaining a Limited or Restricted License, supervised under a licensed electrician & getting a techies job in the Industry - This involves about 1 year of supervision & 40 hours at a ProviderÂ’s course which will cost for the course - most TAFE Colleges are providers. However the best bet is to go to your local Electrical Supply & license Authority & they will give you the information. These licenceÂ’s are part of a National Licence System - otherwise gain an apprenticeship to get a full open licence. I think it would be better to find out the local information as it varies drastically from state to state. Otherwise keep slogging & ring everyone in the Yellow pages Theatre section on lighting.
In the meantime get along to your local community theatre group & help out with Lighting & you will gain some expertise & enjoyment. I know I count on one hand the total number of licensed Electricians working in industry through out this state & the numbers would be much the same else where!
Chookas
Best of luck Chris

Joe,

Thanks for your advice!

I would prefer to get a full electrical qualification for a few reasons:

a. It will help me stand out from the rest. If I have an electrical qualification, as well as all the usual skills (ie. lighting, sound, AV, etc.), qualifcations (ie. test & tag, EWP, forklift, etc.), attitude, etc. I think it will really help me stand out in the industry.

b. It will also act as a backup plan. For example, if the entertainment industry has a really, really, really bad year, I there is no work to be found anywhere, I can do domestic work.

c. I also have an interest in electronics and general electrical *stuff*, so it may help me later in life, when I start to work on creating new technology for the industry.

d. There is always a need for electricians or more to the point people with A grade (or whatever its called now...) qualifications. Most Best Boys & Gaffers I know have the qualification, so I can do live entertainment as well as Film & TV.

SO...

I am going to contact Commercial Theatre Companies such as the ‘Mariner Group’ and see if they can offer any pointers...

I am going to investigate the "Limited or Restricted License"...

I am going to contact my "local Electrical Supply & license Authority"...

I am going to continue looking in the Yellow Pages and contacting more, and more, and MORE people...

The thing I would really like to know is, everyone says that venues, and most large hire companies like Bytecraft hire in electricians for specific jobs, but how to I find these electricans? Are they just domestic electricians that come when called or is there a group of "entertainment" electricans that are hiding from me?

In regards to joining local theatre companies...I will eventually, but I'm a bit booked up for the rest of the year! I have to finish VCE (Year 12), then fly off to England to do a tour there, fly back and work out what's happening next year...hopefully I'll have an electrician to do an apprenticeship with! Else, I guess I just hope I have got into Boxhill, RMIT or NMIT. I have also been offered a few jobs and traineeships, so it's all go-go-go!

Thanks again for your help Joe!

Chris.

GÂ’donya Chris!
However there are many different types of Electricians.
Mechanics (Installers), Fitters, Instrument, Winders & Auto. Each carries an endorsement of specific qualifications & Grade class.
In most instances apprentices are indentured to the same type as their Master.
In this state (WA) you can become a Contractor so long as you have an installers endorsement - I have never got used to the Mechanics designation for Installers -as I have yet to understand the term. To my mind a Fitter is more qualified to carry out mechanical electrical work than an installers are, who are known throughout the trade as a ‘Wire Jerkers’ and the only pre-requisites is to have muscles & not be colour blind! This is an easier way of serving your time academically than with being a Fitter.
I would venture to say that 90% of all installation & electrical work that is carried out, on a daily basis, is done by unqualified Technicians & well meaning amateurs.
In most instances the venue will allow work to be carried in the cheapest way & not worry about the risk. Iam afraid if you believe that you can fall back on Electrical work with in the Entertainment Industry - if there is a down turn - it just wonÂ’t happen. You will have to rely on Domestic or Industrial work to survive. In saying that WAAPA is attempting to address this by running a Limited licence's as part of the course for Theatre Technicians.
ItÂ’s always good to have a second string to your bow - but in this Industry, at present, this can work against you - unfortunately if you have a licence it can make it harder to be employed.
IÂ’m not trying to burst your bubble & you may find in the East in the Film Industry - it will works well!
If you are still wanting to be a sparky & are having problems getting an apprenticeship. You can always do a pre-apprenticeship course at TAFE. Employers tend to pick up their apprentices -who have completed a course-because they can have their total indenture time reduced.
Enjoy your trip to England - If you look around the Theatre scene over there - you will find it is much the same. With ‘Pick it up’ Technicians doing unsilenced Electrical work - It’s seems to be the nature of all things electrical in Theatre.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas
Joe