Audio-visual technician Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

Your work could range from setting up a slideshow for a college lecture to installing sound, video and lighting for a conference or art exhibition. With experience, you might move into project management, where you would meet clients and design AV systems to meet their needs.

You would work with a wide range of equipment, including:

• projectors
• sound systems
• video conferencing equipment
• LCD or plasma screens
• video and still cameras
• image editing software
• lighting
• control rigs.

Your day-to-day work could include:

• setting up equipment according to instructions from project managers
• testing equipment before an event
• finding and dealing with any faults on site
• operating equipment during rehearsals and the event itself
• checking and servicing the equipment
• managing equipment booking
• training other people to use the equipment
• assessing a venue's AV equipment, and recommending or organising upgrades when necessary
• buying new equipment and agreeing prices with suppliers.

Hours

You would normally work 35 to 40 hours a week. Conference and exhibition work will often include evenings and weekends, and some school or college jobs may be during term-time only.

Most of your work would be indoors, and may involve some lifting and carrying of heavy equipment. You would often spend time travelling between jobs, for example when working at different conference locations.

Income

Salaries for AV technicians can be between £16,000 and £28,000 a year. Senior AV technicians and project managers often earn between £30,000 and £45,000 a year.

Overtime payments can increase earnings.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

You don't always need formal qualifications for this job, but employers will want to see some experience and skills in using the main types of AV equipment.

Before looking for work you may find it useful to take a college course in a subject that covers some of the skills needed for AV work, such as:

• video or media production
• multimedia technology
• photography.

Experience and qualifications in sound technology, IT or electronics can also be useful for starting this career.

You may be able to start in this job through an Apprenticeship scheme. You will need to check which schemes are available in your area. To find out more, visit the Apprenticeships website.

• Apprenticeships

You should ideally have a working knowledge of commonly used office software, particularly presentation packages like PowerPoint. Some employers also prefer applicants with experience of using Apple Mac programs.

A driving licence would be useful, as you would often need to travel between jobs.

Training and development

You will usually develop your skills on the job, and you will need to keep up to date with new equipment and technology throughout your career.

Employers may organise some training with equipment manufacturers, or if you are a freelance worker you could arrange this yourself.

Your employer may also want you to gain the City & Guilds (2377) Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment certificate, often known as portable appliance testing (PAT).

If you want to move into audio-visual production design, you could take a higher level qualification, for example an HND or degree in multimedia. To search for colleges and universities offering relevant courses, see the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website.

• Universities and Colleges Admissions Service

Various online courses are available from InfoComm International. Its Certified Technology Specialist accreditation is internationally recognised in the AV industry. See InfoComm International's website for details.

• InfoComm International

The Skills section of the Professional Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA) website has an education database with links to private training companies and colleges offering relevant training, from industry short courses to degrees.

• Professional Lighting and Sound Association

Skills and knowledge

To become an audio-visual technician, you will need to have:

• excellent technical skills with electrical equipment and IT
• creative problem-solving ability
• organisational skills
• the ability to work well as part of a team and also on your own initiative
• the ability to work under pressure and to deadlines
• a flexible approach for dealing with varied tasks
• an awareness of electrical safety issues
• good communication and customer care skills.

More information

Creative Skillset
Focus Point
21 Caledonian Road
London
N1 9GB
www.creativeskillset.org

Creative Skillset Careers
Tel: 08080 300 900
(England and Northern Ireland)
Tel: 0845 850 2502(Scotland)
Tel: 08000 121 815 (Wales)
www.creativeskillset.org/careers

Production Services Association
PO Box 2709
Bath
BA1 3YS
Tel: 01225 332668
www.psa.org.uk

PLASA
Redoubt House
1 Edward Road
Eastbourne
BN23 8AS
Tel: 01323 524120
www.plasa.org

Opportunities

You could find work with the following types of employer:

• events and exhibition companies
• conference centres and hotels
• concert venues
• specialist AV services providers
• libraries
• schools, colleges and universities
• building services companies

With experience, in a larger AV services company you could manage a department, become a project manager or systems designer, or move into sales or account management. Self-employed and freelance work is also possible.

You may find the following useful for vacancies, contacts and further reading (links open in a new window):

• LSI Online
• FEjobs.com
• Mandy.com
• Jobs AV
• AVAbsolute
• Event Magazine
• InfoComm International (US-based site)

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

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