Cinema-theatre attendant Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

Your duties could include:

• checking tickets
• showing people to their seats
• selling programmes
• selling refreshments from trays or kiosks during the interval
• dealing with any problems or complaints
• re-stocking the refreshment kiosks and trays
• collecting litter and tidying up after a show
• being responsible for health and safety, for example, making sure fire exits are not blocked.

You may also work in the venue's cafe, bar or box office.

Hours

You would usually work shifts, including evenings and weekends when most performances take place. Part-time work is more common than full-time.

You will usually be provided with a uniform.

Income

Full-time staff may earn between £10,000 and £12,500 a year. However, most jobs are part-time and paid by the hour. Earnings are usually in line with the National Minimum Wage. These are detailed on the website below.

• Directgov

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

You do not need any qualifications to work as a cinema or theatre attendant. You should ideally have experience of working with people in a customer service role, for example, as a shop assistant.

Qualifications such as the new level 1 to 3 Awards, Certificates and Diplomas in Customer Service could give you an advantage. These qualifications also provide the basic knowledge and understanding needed to go on to the work-based NVQ Certificates and Diplomas.

It can also be helpful to have an interest in film or the arts.

You may need to be aged 18 or over for jobs that involve serving alcohol.

You may be able to get into this job through a customer service Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need. To find out more, visit the Apprenticeships website.

• Apprenticeships

Training and development

You will usually be trained on the job by experienced staff. Most cinemas now belong to major leisure companies that will often provide full, structured in-house training.

Some employers may give you the chance to work towards levels 1 to 3 NVQ Certificates and Diplomas in Customer Service.

Skills and knowledge

To become a cinema-theatre attendant, you should have:

• a polite, helpful and approachable manner
• good communication skills
• the ability to keep calm in an emergency
• maths skills, with the ability to handle money and work out change
• good teamworking skills.

More information

Springboard UK
http://springboarduk.net

People 1st
2nd Floor
Armstrong House
38 Market Square
Uxbridge
Middlesex
UB8 1LH
Tel: 01895 817 000
www.uksp.co.uk/ (careers information)
www.people1st.co.uk

Opportunities

You could work for a large cinema chain at a multi-screen complex, smaller independent cinemas, or theatres and concert venues.

Major cinema chains may have a promotion structure leading to cashier, team leader or management jobs. In theatres, concert halls and smaller cinemas you would normally be part of a small team, but you may be able to progress to a management or box office job.

Jobs may be advertised in the local press, in Jobcentre Plus offices, through Directgov (Jobseekers page), at local cinemas or on the websites of the larger cinema chains.

• Directgov - (Jobseekers page)