PLASA And ABTT Announce Joint Initiative

The Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT) and PLASA - the lead body for those working in the live events, entertainment and communication industries - have announce their intention to endorse each other's skills initiatives.
The announcement, which came during the first day of PLASA Focus, the organisation's new regional event in Leeds, will see PLASA supporting the ABTT in becoming one of the organisation's preferred assessment centres for the theatre sector whilst the ABTT will actively endorse and support the future development of PLASA Qualifications.
PLASA Qualifications became an Awarding Body in 2008 as part of the organisation's aim to become the 'Industry Awarding Body', a key element of its wider strategy to ensure the industry has the right skills and professional development opportunities to meet both present and future demand.
The organisation works in close partnership with employers and individuals in the sector to develop recognised vocational qualifications that are fit-for-purpose and recognised at a national level.
PLASA has also been instrumental in training Assessors in the sector to achieve the A1 Award.
The ABTT have been successfully running their Gold, Silver and Bronze Training Awards accredited by the RSAMD for over 10 years and in that time have seen over 500 individuals complete their courses. The courses are specifically aimed at people already working in the theatre industry.
Matthew Griffiths, MD of PLASA, commented: "We are delighted to have the support of the ABTT as we both wish to see skills move forward in the industry. With PLASA being an Awarding Body and ABTT being one of the key training providers for the theatre community, we see this as a very natural fit."
Mark White, ABTT Chairman, added: "This is an important step for ABTT Training who continue to develop a comprehensive programme of instruction. PLASA and ABTT working together, coupled with Skillscene's work, bodes well for the future of nationally recognised qualifications."
Further information is available at: www.abtt.org.uk and www.plasa.org.
(KMcA/BMcC)