CHRC Charts of Competencies for Theatre Technicians

The Cultural Human Resources Council (CHRC) has been working with professional theatre practitioners since 2004 in order to identify and address the training needs within the production sector. In 2005 CHRC set up and has been working with the Theatre Technicians Steering Committee on the development of competency charts (DACUM Method) and profiles for technical occupations in the Live Performing Arts. To date three charts of competencies and profiles have been completed for the performing arts technicians, they are: Automation Technicians (2006), General Stage Technicians (Stagehands) (2007) and Entertainment Riggers (2007).

The Chart lists general areas of competence (major responsibilities and skills) that are further broken down into tasks regularly performed by either the Automation Technicians, General Stage Technicians (Stagehands) or the Entertainment Riggers.

The Competency Profile outlines sub-tasks as well as performance indicators, highlights important actions, and provides a range of personal, interpersonal and business skills. A training gap analysis was also completed for each occupation. All these documents are available in both official languages.

These charts and profiles are designed to help you achieve your professional vision, by providing a map of the training needed to find success in your chosen field. They were developed by experts in the industry from across the country, including representatives from large and medium-size companies, and self-employed freelancers.

Here are some guiding questions to help you decide if you would benefit from using these competency tools:

Cultural workers

Are you looking for a job in Live Performing Arts?

Do you need help evaluating your skills and training needs?

Employers

Do you want to identify the skills and HR needs of your organization?

Do you need help defining job recruitment profiles or individual position descriptions?

Do you need help developing competency-based professional development programs?

Do you need help negotiating and customizing training programs?

Do you need help developing career planning programs?

Professional organizations

Do you want access to HR tools that will help your members identify skills gaps/shortages and specific educational and training needs?

Educators

Are your education/training programs and curricula keeping up with the industry?

Do you need help accessing the latest HR tools for curriculum design and development?

Are you providing your students with the skills employers require?

The Charts of competencies with its profile and training gap analysis can be found on the CHRC website:

For non CHRC members, the competency profiles can be purchased at
Cultural Human Resources Council
201-17 York Street Ottawa,
ON K1N 9J6
Tel: 613 562-1535 / 1 866 562-1535
Fax: 613 562-2982

CHRC Theatre Technicians Steering Committee members (from 2005 to 2007)

Mark Melymick, Chair and member of the CHRC Board of Directors
John Avery, The Banff Centre
Louise Boucher, Conseil québécois des ressources humaines en culture (CQRHC)
Monique Corbeil, CITT and CQICTS
Peter Feldman, CAPACOA
Graham Frampton, CITT
Alex Gazalé, National Arts Centre
Peter Gerrie & Julian Mayne, Francis Winspear Centre for Music
Bob Johnston, CITT
Brian Low, Nasco Staffing Solutions
Sean McGuire, IATSE
Norberts Muncs, National Theatre School of Canada and CQICTS
Hugh Neilson, PACT
Thomas Schweitzer, Opera Ontario
Susan Annis, CHRC Executive Director
Kim Laocque and Manon Turcotte, CHRC Project Managers

THE TRAINING STRATEGIES ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION

In August of 2007, the Cultural Human Resources Council (CHRC) and its Theatre Technicians Steering Committee held a training strategies roundtable discussion in Vancouver prior to the opening of the 17th Annual CITT/ICTS conference. The focus of “on-the-job training for emerging theatre technicians” was a hot topic - as witnessed by the excellent turn out - and participants were very pleased with the quality of discussion and constructive thinking that ensued in the course of the day. Over 40 people from the education and the performing arts sectors participated at the event. Click here to read the highlights.