Cultural Learning & Participation Officer Apprentice (Level 3)

Are you passionate about theatre, creativity and working with children, young people and communities?

This is an exciting opportunity to begin your career in arts participation while working towards a Level 3 Cultural Learning and Participation Officer Apprenticeship.

As part of Theatre Royal Plymouth's Creative Communities team, you'll gain practical experience supporting and delivering a wide range of creative projects in schools, community settings and across our own programmes. You'll work alongside experienced theatre practitioners and learn through hands-on experience, mentoring, observation, professional training and reflective practice.

No two days are the same, and throughout your apprenticeship you'll have the opportunity to develop your confidence, build new skills and make a real difference through the work you do.

Our Creative Communities team works with children, young people, schools and communities across Plymouth and beyond, creating opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to explore creativity, develop confidence and experience the arts in meaningful ways.

If you're looking to begin a career where no two days are the same and where you can make a real difference through creativity, this apprenticeship is a great place to start.

About the apprenticeship

As part of your employment, you'll complete the Level 3 Cultural Learning and Participation Officer Apprenticeship Standard, delivered by TRP's chosen provider.

Throughout your apprenticeship, you'll work towards achieving the knowledge, skills and behaviours set out within the apprenticeship standard. Your day-to-day role has been designed to give you the opportunity to develop these through practical experience, structured learning and support from experienced colleagues.

The apprenticeship combines workplace learning with dedicated training from the apprenticeship provider, helping you build the skills and confidence needed for a career in cultural learning and participation.

What you'll be doing

Working as part of the Creative Communities team, you'll:

• Assist with the delivery of weekly workshops across our programme, working with children, young people and community groups in a variety of settings.
• Support the delivery of our holiday programmes.
• Work alongside experienced theatre practitioners across a wide range of creative projects.
• Support the administration of Young Company and other Creative Communities projects, including parent and carer communication, email correspondence, registers and preparing spaces for activity.
• Assist with planning, monitoring and evaluating projects across the department.
• Help deliver workshops within schools and education settings.
• Support festivals and events, including NT Connections and Playhouse.
• Lead tours of Theatre Royal Plymouth and TR2 for schools and community groups.
• Work with the Creative Communities team to support performance opportunities for Young Company and other projects.
• Become a licensed Chaperone to support theatre visits and performances.
• Complete safeguarding and other relevant training to help create a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone taking part.

This is a developmental role, so as you progress through your apprenticeship, working through the apprenticeship standards, you'll gradually take on more responsibility, including opportunities to lead activities and projects with the support of the team.

The responsibilities listed above aren't exhaustive and may develop as the needs of the department and organisation change.

What we're looking for

We're looking for someone who is enthusiastic, organised, creative and keen to learn.

Essential

• A genuine interest in theatre, drama and working with children, young people and communities.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate confidently with a wide range of people, including young people, parents, carers and education professionals.
• A willingness to learn and develop your skills in creative facilitation and professional development in your chosen art form
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Good organisational and time management skills.
• The ability to take responsibility for your work and meet deadlines.
• Good administrative skills and the ability to manage a range of projects at the same time.
• A professional, positive and reliable approach.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Desirable

• Experience of arts engagement, i.e. youth theatre, community arts or working in an education setting.
• Experience of creating resources to support learning.
• Practical knowledge of IT and Office based systems
• A First Aid qualification.
• DBS Update Service membership.
• A full UK driving licence.

What you'll gain

This apprenticeship is designed to give you the skills, knowledge and experience to begin a career in cultural learning and participation.

You'll receive:

• A nationally recognised Level 3 Cultural Learning and Participation Officer Apprenticeship.
• Support and mentoring from experienced members of the Creative Communities team.
• Practical experience delivering projects with children, young people and communities.
• Opportunities to work alongside professional artists, theatre practitioners and partner organisations.
• Training in safeguarding and other areas to support your professional development.
• Experience of working within one of the UK's leading regional theatres.

Learning and development

As part of the apprenticeship, you'll take part in regular learning with the apprenticeship provider, alongside your day-to-day role. This will include structured learning, workplace learning and independent study, helping you develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to successfully complete your apprenticeship.

Attendance at learning sessions forms part of your contracted working hours and is an essential part of the apprenticeship programme.

Additional information

This is a fixed-term apprenticeship from September 2026 to July 2028 working 32 hours per week over five days.

Due to the nature of the role, some evening and weekend working will be required.

Applicants must be 18 years or over.

The successful applicant will be required to complete the Level 3 Cultural Learning and Participation Officer Apprenticeship as part of their employment.

As this role involves working with children and young people, appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check and other pre-employment checks.

This apprenticeship is a fixed-term opportunity ending in July 2028. Successful completion of the apprenticeship does not guarantee a permanent role with Theatre Royal Plymouth. However, should suitable opportunities arise, we'd encourage you to apply.

Interested in finding out more?

We'll be hosting an information webinar for anyone interested in applying for this apprenticeship. This is a great opportunity to find out more about the role, learn about the apprenticeship programme and ask any questions you may have before submitting your application.

Please keep an eye on Theatre Royal Plymouth's social media channels for details of the webinar, including how to register.

We’re here to talk! We’re available to speak to you before you make your application so, if you’re not quite sure if your skills match the role, want to talk about how flexible working could support you, or just check any of the details in this document, please do email us on recruitment@theatreroyal.com with subject line 'Cultural Learning & Participation Officer Apprentice' to arrange a chat.