CHRC Charts of Competencies for Theatre Technicians

Culture Works Canada (CWC) (formerly 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.

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 their profile and training gap analysis are available for:

• Presenters
• Entertainment Riggers
• Automation Technicians
• General Stage Technicians (Stage Hands)

The Charts can be downloaded on the CWC website, free for CWC members and affiliate members, and at a small cost for non-members.

→ LIVE PERFORMING ARTS - Competency Charts and Competency Profiles

Did you know? CITT/ICTS is an Organisation Plus member of CWC.

Because of that membership, each CITT/ICTS Organizational member can apply to receive a free CWC affiliate membership status with many benefits, including access to many documents. Visit this page to learn more about membership and to fill out the membership form.

As an additional Member benefit, the Charts can be viewed and downloaded in the Documentation Centre & Resources section of the Members Area. 

For questions: Contact the CWC or email the CITT/ICTS National Office.

History

In 2005, the 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. At that time, three charts of competencies and profiles were 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.

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.