A Practical Guide to Establishing Traineeships Webinar

Date: Wednesday 22nd October 12:30-13:30 (AEDT):
Location: Online

A Practical Guide to Establishing Traineeships in Your Venue

This session is designed for performing arts venues looking to build or enhance technical production traineeships.

We’ll cover:

• How to design a structured traineeship with effective training plans and delivery methods
• How to tap into government funding and subsidies
• Partnering with Group Training Organisations (GTOs) for recruitment and support
• Support strategies for workplace trainers and mentors
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and gap training options for experienced crew

You’ll also hear insights from VAPAC member venues who’ve successfully implemented traineeships—and see how these programs are helping shape a stronger, more sustainable future for the industry.

Speakers

Stephen Henderson
Coordinator Creative Spaces
City of Greater Bendigo

Stephen lives and works on Dja Dja Wurrung country in central Victoria and has been working with the City of Greater Bendigo for the past 17 years. He currently oversees event operations, venue planning, technical operations, and the development and coordination of the performing arts program across multiple venues, including the Ulumbarra Theatre, Capital Theatre, and the Engine Room in central Bendigo.

With expertise in multi-venue operations, arts programming, stakeholder engagement, and audience development within the local government sector, Stephen has played a key role in establishing Bendigo as a regional leader in the performing arts. He is a strong advocate for the role of contemporary arts and live performance in building vibrant and inclusive communities.

Katherine Cousins
Workforce Development Manager
Westvic Staffing Solutions

Westvic Staffing Solutions supports businesses and organisations across the Gippsland region to host Apprentices & Trainees. We nurture Apprentices & Trainees to achieve their qualifications and pursue career pathways by creating connections for the development of employment opportunities.

In partnership with Bass Coast Shire Council, Katherine has successfully mentored Trainees, to achieve their Cert III in Live Production & Technical Services qualification. Prior to this role, Katherine has experience as a Tertiary, Secondary & Primary Teacher, Retail Business owner & Backstage support for local theatre groups as a Mum!

Murray Johnstone
Senior Manager, Technical Training & Development
Arts Centre Melbourne
CEO VACT Registered Training Organisation

Murray joined Arts Centre Melbourne’s Registered Training Organisation (RTO) in 2015 bringing with him 15+ years of experience leading Queensland industry-based training provider, Entertainment Technical & Event Training College.

Murray’s extensive background across the performing arts industry & his passion for industry-led training has helped shape nationally accredited training programs for the live events industry within the Vocational, Education & Training (VET) sector. His work establishing the industry-preferred employment based technical traineeship program model in support of the next generation of live production crew continues to strengthen the technical capability of performing arts centres and wider-industry around Australia.

Outside of his leadership role at Arts Centre Melbourne, Murray has served as a member of the Victorian Association of Performing Arts Centres (VAPAC) Technical Manager Executive Committee as the Network Training Coordinator 2017-2024. As part of his leadership role for ACM and the VACT RTO, Murray continues to work tirelessly to raise industry technical & safety standards and promote positive change for the mental health of industry workers.