FST Financial Support

Technical Training Fund

The pandemic made it difficult to go ahead with a year-round technical theatre training, that’s why we decided to repurpose this money to run a technical training fund to ensure that the sector can still have their training needs met.

The Training Fund aims to provide assistance to freelance and casual staff as well as full time and part time employees working in technical theatre and production roles in Scotland to access training and professional support, it is open to FST members and non-members.  The Training Fund provides financial assistance to individuals working in these areas wishing to undertake professional development opportunities or training in technical and production skills areas.

The fund will award up to £350 (up to £250 employed) to help with the costs incurred when attending training, including the cost of the course itself, travel or accommodation.  The fund will not cover any loss of earnings. The fund will run to the end of the of this financial year 21-22, or when the allocated money runs out, the deadline for applications is 1 March 2022 and all funds must be paid out by 28 April 2022.

Online Training Fund

FST created this fund in 2020 in response to Covid-19 to support and enable FST Members to take advantage of online CPD opportunities during the current pandemic.

There are no restrictions on the type of training which members can apply for, all we ask is that you can demonstrate, in your application, how the chosen course will help to further your career and/or future work prospects.

The application and approval process are quick and simple. However, we recommended allowing at least a month between submitting your application and the booking deadline of your chosen opportunity to allow for any delays in admin time. Applications for FST’s own training courses can be turned around much quicker.

If your fund application is successful, we will follow up and ask for your payment details and receipts, and credit your account with the requested amount.

If you have any queries, then get in touch with us at:  Fiona.mccurdy@scottishtheatre.org

Go, See, Network, Share Fund

The purpose of this fund is to:

• Encourage more exchange with UK and international practitioners,
• Broaden and complement sectoral engagement in critical debate and dialogue,
• Inform areas of artistic and management best practice, and
• Support increased cross-border working and touring.

This fund aims to support FST members by funding attendance at key sector events, both domestic and international. During the period of COVID-19 lockdown we would expect those events to be online, in line with government guidelines, including conferences, showcasing events, festivals and sector body meetings where attendance provides significant opportunity for continued professional, creative and project development. The intention is that members will share the learning from their attendance with their peers.

Euan Turner Training Fund

This fund has been set up in the memory of Euan Turner, the FST’s Health and Safety advisor who passed away in June 2015. The purpose of the Euan Turner Training Fund is to financially support freelance and employed technical, production and stage management personnel in the performing arts sector in Scotland to undertake training for nationally recognised health and safety qualifications.

Who Can Apply:

• Technical, production and stage management personnel based in Scotland who are either:
• Freelance or work as a casual member of staff in the performing arts.
• Are employed full or part-time in a theatre or performing arts organisation with a turnover of under £750,000 per annum.
• Additionally, employed staff in organisations with a turnover of over £750,000 can apply for a limited number of places on more advanced training courses as outlined below.

Please note this fund

• Is available for individuals who have at least 12 months professional experience in production, stage management or technical roles in the performing arts.
• Will only support course fees and will not support any related costs such as travel, expenses or accommodation
• Can only to be used for attending:
  – IOSH Managing Safely 
  – NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety
  – NCRQ Level 6 Certificate in Applied Health and Safety

Training must be provided by an accredited training provider in the UK.