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ETNZ aims to identify the technical production training needs of the theatre, event and entertainment industries and support interested parties by providing targeted professional development either directly or in conjunction with other training providers.

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Entertainment and Event Qualifications

• New Zealand Certificate in Entertainment and Event Operations (L3)
• New Zealand Certificate in Entertainment and Event Technology (L4)
• Become an Assessor
• Evidence Verifier

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Entertainment and Event Qualifications

In 2013, the ETNZ Executive approached Skills Active about developing qualifications for the industry, as there was no consistent standard across the motu.

What you see now is the result of a dedicated group of ETNZ members, along with the training expertise from Skills Active Aotearoa, the former industry training organisation for Performing Arts. Together they developed a suite of Entertainment and Event Technology qulaifications that can be gained on the job, meet industry standards, and are recognised on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework.

On 1 October 2023, Skills Active Aotearoa transitioned work-based learning services to our new independent provider, Te Mahi Ako, part of the wider Skills Active Group. 

These qualifications are being delivered by Te Mahi Ako in consultation with ETNZ, and other tertitary institutions across Aotearoa.

The industry also provides a dedicated assessors who work closley to assess the qualifications delivered by Te Mahi Ako.

In 2020 ETNZ along with a generous benefactor provided 100 scholarships to the New Zealand Certificate in Entertainment and Event Operations (level 3).

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• New Zealand Certificate in Entertainment and Event Operations (Level 3)

The NZ Certificate in Entertainment and Event Operations (L3) is delivered and assessed on-the-job in a workplace within the entertainment industry. The qualification is designed to be completed in 3-7 months.

To enrol in this programme, you need to be working in the entertainment and events sector, in a paid job, self-employed, or a volunteer with regular and consistent shifts.

If you don't have a role lined up contact ETNZ or Te Mahi Ako to talk about how we can help.

Who is this Qualification for?

This qualification is for people who are interested in kicking off an exciting career in the entertainment and event industry, be it backstage or Front of House.

Graduates of this qualification will have the skills and industry knowledge required to operate safely under supervision in a wide range of service or operational roles.

What is involved?

The 45 credit qualification covers how to:

Assessments are completed online,  and by observation of your work practices by your supervisors, verifiers, or assessors.

New Zealand Certificate in Entertainment and Event Operations (Level 3) fact sheet.

What does it cost? (current at 20 January 2025)

The fees for this qualification is $100.00 inc. GST if you have an onsite assessor, or $600.00 inc GST if you require one of our external assessors.

To support our Entertainment and Event Qualifications, Te Mahi Ako (formerly Skills Active) does have financial help available to support qualifications. Read more here.

Where to from here?

Click here for further information or to enrol.

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• New Zealand Certificate in Entertainment and Event Technology (Level 4)

The NZ Certificate in Entertainment and Event Technology (L4) is formalised as an on-the-job training scheme (apprenticeship), and is for people who have started working in either a paid or volunteer position within the entertainment and event technology industry.

Who is this Qualification for?

It is for current technicians wanting to gain a qualification, employers wanting to create a recognised learning pathway for their staff, or the community theatre technician who wants some recognition for their volunteer hours.

This qualification will be delivered and assessed on-the-job in a workplace within our industry, in either a paid or unpaid position. Graduates of this qualification will be able to safely work with limited supervision in the entertainment and event technology industry using their skills and knowledge.

Whether you are just starting out or you have a wealth of experience and want to formally endorse your skills, this qualification is for you. Choose two of seven strands from the list below:

What is involved?

The 120-credit apprenticeship has two core modules and two self-selected strands, and is designed to be completed between 18-24 months.

The core modules cover:

Assessments are completed online,  and by observation of your work practices by your supervisors, verifiers, or assessors.

The strands include:

Rigging: Safely installing, operating and removing strand-specific equipment

Lighting: Safely installing, operating and removing strand-specific equipment

Live sound: Safely installing, operating and removing strand-specific equipment

Video: Safely installing, operating and removing strand-specific equipment

Stage management: Implementing stage management documentation and production process requirements to ensure the smooth running of a range of complex performances and events

Stage mechanics: Safely setting up, operating and removing scenery and stage mechanical devices

Scenic construction: Constructing stage scenery using a range of construction methods, equipment and digital technologies.

 The assessments are based around a Know It / Show It / Log it system.

Know it is a written task completed online.

Show it is the on-the-job demonstration of the tasks as listed, repeated between 3 to 5 times depending on your strand, in a complex event. e.g. installing, operating, and removing lighting systems.

Log it is a log book showing a required number hours of work completed within an Entertainment or Event location in your strand area. E.g. pack-in, show call, pack-out, equipment prep, rehearsals, and room setup.

For the full definition of a complex event CLICK HERE or see the Resouces below.

New Zealand Certificate in Entertainment and Event Technology (Level 4) fact sheet

What does it cost?current at 20 January 2025)

The fees for this qualification is $500.00 inc. GST if you have an onsite assessor, or $2,000.00 inc GST if you require one of our external assessors.

To support our Entertainment and Event Qualifications, Te Mahi Ako (formerly Skills Active) does have financial help available to support qualifications. Read more here.

Where to from here?

Click here for further information or to enrol.

There are currently no training courses available for this qualification as training is delivered on-the-job by workplace experts. ETNZ are investigating opportunities to help facilitate some learning and will advise when that is available.

UCOL currently offer this qualification in the strands of lighting, live sound and video. Click here for more information on their program.

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• Do you want to become an assessor?

Assessment is at the heart of industry training. On-job assessment allows trainees to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in real work settings. On-job assessment has real impact on the trainee, workplace, and people undertaking the assessment.

You will first need to hold this qualification and have also been in the industry for a minimum of 3-5 years.

Assessor Specific Requirements - NZC Entertainment and Event Operations (Level 3)

Assessor Specific Requirements - NZC Entertainment and Event Technology (Level 4)

Please contact ETNZ or Te Mahi Ako for more information on becoming and assessor.

• I've been asked to be a evidence verifier, what does this mean?
  

Evidence verification is one part of the overall assessment process for workplace qualifications. It provides a way for evidence to be collected for the assessment of your staff who are working towards qualifications.

An evidence verifier is typically used in situations where an assessor is not present while your staff carry out assessment tasks, or the evidence verifier is better positioned to observe the staff member and gather evidence of the learner consistently and repeatedly performing assessment tasks.

Assessors also use evidence verifiers to confirm authenticity of learner evidence and to ensure that the learner’s practice is in accordance with workplace policies and procedures.

The evidence verifier will work closely with the assessor, who will make the final assessment decision.  

Evidence verifiers are required to complete a short online evidence verifier course.  

Evidence verifier fact sheet and access to the online evidence verifier course.

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