Tackling skills gaps in the arts workforce
The Ausdance VIC RTO has added two new Creative Industries courses to its training scope, designed to give young people the technical and digital skills needed for long-term careers in the creative sector.
Responding to need
The Creative Workforce Scoping Study by Services and Creative Skills Australia (SaCSA) identified major shortages in off-stage technical skills (such as lighting and production management) and digital skills (including social media and marketing). These gaps present challenges for the sustainability of the performing arts industry—and for the young people striving to build careers within it.
The findings confirmed what we’re hearing every day from the sector; technical and digital skills are in high demand, but there simply aren’t enough trained people to fill those roles.
Eilannin Harris-Black, RTO Manager
To meet this need, Ausdance VIC has expanded its RTO offerings to include two creative industries courses:
- Certificate II in Creative Industries (Digital Imaging and Marketing specialisation)
- Certificate II in Creative Industries (Production Skills specialisation)
These courses give those passionate about performing arts the chance to diversify their skillset and strengthen their career pathways. “These courses give those passionate about performing arts the chance to diversify their skillset and strengthen their career pathways,” explains Eilannin. “Even the most talented performers often face gaps between contracts. Skills in lighting, stagecraft, or digital marketing can make those in-between times more secure, satisfying, and sustainable than waiting tables. For arts educators, the challenge—and opportunity—is to make these training pathways accessible.”
A successful school pilot
Earlier this year, Ausdance VIC piloted units from the Certificate II in Creative Industries (Production Skills) with Fountain Gate Secondary College, one of our RTO partners, and the results have been remarkable. “VET Creative Industries really brings together the puzzle pieces that make up live theatre. It’s a versatile program that allows me to teach a wide range of skills, from design and production through to hands on technical work,” says Gulcan Gulen, Performing Arts Teacher at Fountain Gate Secondary College, “The most rewarding part is seeing the students’ excitement when they unlock a new skill set and immediately get to apply it in a practical, real theatre setting. Watching them connect theory to practice and grow in confidence as creative professionals is what makes this course so valuable.”
Students put their learning into action during the recent school musical, where they were tasked with designing and delivering the entire Front of House (FOH) area to match the show’s New York City theme. They researched, designed, trialled, refined, and finally produced a full FOH setup that wowed the community. Beyond design, students created rosters, ran pre- and post-show meetings, conducted a mock fire evacuation, and supported bump-in and bump-out—experiencing the full breadth of professional production practice.
The impact went beyond technical skills. Many of the participants had previously struggled with traditional learning, including neurodiverse students and school refusers. In this program, they found new confidence, teamwork skills, and pride in their achievements. Jade, a Year 10 student at Fountain Gate Secondary College, says “Creative Industries has changed the way I view and appreciate theatre. I have always done productions and performing arts at school but never understood the behind-the-scenes side of things. I have loved the excursions and the practical classes; the course has taught me more about backstage and made me a better performer.”
Expanding pathways and experiences
To spark student interest, the school has also been running Discovery Day sessions, with groups of 20 students at a time learning about the course and the career opportunities it can open. These short introductions help demystify technical and production roles while showing students that diverse, creative career pathways are within reach.
The students also enjoyed a memorable excursion to the Arts Centre Melbourne, where FOH Manager Ben tailored a behind-the-scenes tour to align with the unit they were working on. Students even tried on Opera Australia costumes as part of the experience. “It was just amazing,” reflects Jo Van de Velde, VET Innovations Leader at Fountain Gate Secondary College. “Even I was swept away by the experience. It gave the students a real sense of what these roles look like in the professional world.”
Building sustainable arts careers
Ausdance VIC sees these new creative industries courses as part of a bigger picture—strengthening the creative workforce and supporting young people to find meaningful, sustainable futures in the arts. Harris-Black says “The program is a fantastic opportunity to address both a vital industry shortage, and to give students with a passion for performing arts a very real, and potentially quite lucrative career outcome”.
With digital and technical expertise in high demand, the new Creative Industries qualifications offer an exciting pathway for schools, studios, and students alike.
Get involved
To find out more about how your school or organisation can deliver these qualifications, contact the Ausdance VIC RTO team.