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Audio-visual technician

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Career outlook for audio-visual technician

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£18,000

Experienced

£32,000

Currently employed in Scotland

4,900

Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would set up and operate the multimedia systems and equipment to make conferences, exhibitions and events successful and exciting.

You'd safely set up multimedia equipment like television screens, microphones and lighting in venues like conference centres, art galleries or schools.

You might set up a slideshow for a college lecture or install complex systems for a conference or art exhibition.

You'd use a wide range of equipment, including:

  • Projectors and LCD (liquid crystal display) or plasma screens
  • Sound systems and video conferencing equipment
  • Video and still cameras
  • Image editing software
  • Lighting and control rigs

You would:

  • Set up the equipment
  • Test equipment before an event
  • Find and deal with any faults on site
  • Operate equipment during rehearsals and the event itself
  • Check and service the equipment
  • Assess a venue's audio-visual (AV) equipment and recommend or organise upgrades
  • Buy new equipment and agree prices with suppliers

You'd help non-technical people to use the equipment and manage a booking system for it.

With experience, you might move into project management, where you would meet clients and design AV systems to meet their needs.

Along with having excellent technical skills you'd need to follow the health and safety rules for working with electrical equipment.

Working conditions

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.

Environment

Most of your work would be indoors, and may involve some lifting and carrying of heavy equipment.

Travel

You would often spend time travelling between jobs, for example when working at different conference locations.

UK employment status

Full-time

42%

Part-time

18%

Self employed

40%

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  • Taking initiative
  • Developing a plan
  • Attention to detail
  • Working with technology
  • Verbal communication
  • Cooperating
  • Resourceful
  • Innovative
  • Problem solving

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Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Foundation Apprenticeships

Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 can help you get a head start with this type of job.

You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification (the same level as a Higher) plus valuable work placement experience and skills you can't learn in a classroom.

Interested? Find out what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.

Qualifications

To get into this job you would need: 

  • a Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) and/or a degree (SCQF level 9/10)
  • Modern Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media (SCQF level 6/7)

To enter an Audio Visual Technologies or Engineering Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 7) requires National 4/5 qualifications, a minimum of two Highers and a portfolio

To study a degree (SCQF level 9/10) requires a minimum of four Highers at B or above, or a relevant HN qualifications.

There are no set entry requirements to enter this job. However, candidates must have an understanding and appreciation of different technologies.  

Candidates should be hard-working, with a good attitude, strong communication and IT skills, and a good understanding of what it takes to work their way up in the creative industries.

They must also be passionate, able to work in teams, and confident enough to network and confidently market their personal skills and achievements. 

 

 

Useful subjects

  • Maths (required by many courses)
  • English (required by many courses)
  • Sciences, in particular physics (required by many courses)
  • Computing science subjects
  • Engineering science
  • Practical electronics
  • Music technologies
  • Art and design
  • Music
  • Graphic communication

Helpful to have

Skills for Work in Creative & Digital (SCQF level 4) can offer a useful introduction to the industry.

Qualifications in creative media production, audio production, multimedia, digital media, sound technologies, IT or electronics are useful for this career.

Some employers value the portable appliance testing (PAT) qualification so you can test and inspect small, portable electrical appliances. InfoComm offers professional accreditation through its Certified Technologies Specialist program which is internationally recognised within the AV industry.