Most young people dreaming of a career in music or entertainment see themselves in a starring role onstage.

But the real opportunities, according to Lewisham College, are behind the scenes in the highly valued ‘craft skills,’ which account for two out of three jobs in the sector.

“Everybody enjoys watching the X Factor – but they don’t realise what it takes to stage a show like that,” said Sue Baynton, Lewisham College’s Senior Practitioner for the Creative Industries.

“There are lots of opportunities offstage in production, set building, music, sound and lighting.

“And as the industry continues to grow, and technology develops and shows become more complicated, so does the need for more people with the latest skills in these areas.”

The UK’s half a billion pounds performing arts and music industry is expected to grow a staggering 40 per cent by 2020. Lewisham provides the accredited training for the scheme and helps employers source the apprentices.

“Creative Apprenticeships can lead to a great career, with excellent transferrable skills,”explained Sue.

“You can be working on a conference one week, a drama the next and Glast-onbury the week after.”

Lewisham College has been running a one year, level three course in Tech-nical Theatre and Stage Production for some time.

Graduates have gone on, not only to work in the industry with placements at the National Theatre, but also to complete degrees at top drama schools like RADA and the Central School of Speech and Drama.

The Lewisham course and the Creative Apprenticeships offer a way into the industry for creative and ambitious young people without degrees.

They benefit from training with lecturers like Sue, who still currently work offstage in the performing arts and music sector.

For details about courses at Lewisham College visit www.lewisham.ac.uk or for details on Creative Appren-ticeships visit the National Skills Academy at www. nsa-ccskills.co.uk/ Case study: Daniel Bennett When Daniel Bennett left school three years ago his future looked uncertain.

Today, the 18-year-old is looking forward to a career in one of the country’s most exciting industries.

As a creative apprentice employed by Lewisham College, he’s gained invaluable training and experience in putting on a show, from stage management, to set construction and lighting.

“What I’ve really enjoyed, is that you’re not just sitting in a classroom – you get loads of outside experience,” said Daniel.

“I’ve had a lot of practical, hands-on work experience and have helped out on productions at the National Theatre.”

Daniel, from Greenwich, took a one-year technical theatre and stage production course at Lewisham after leaving school.

He knew he wanted to work in some area of theatre production and found the course gave him an excellent grounding.

“I normally struggle with studying because I am dyslexic,” said Daniel. “But the college gave me a lot of support and the coursework was all based on evidence, so I could take photographs with short captions for my assessments.”

After he finished the course Daniel was accepted for a creative apprenticeship at the college. His tutor Sue Baynton, said he’s a great role model for new students. “Everywhere he has worked, people have been full of praise for Daniel,” said Sue.

“He’s a positive role model because students can see how far he has come.”

The fifth annual National Apprenticeship Week will take place from February 6-10.

The week, co-ordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), celebrates apprenticeships and their benefits to individuals and businesses. For more information about National Apprenticeship Week visit apprenticeships.org.uk.