We can’t think of a better way of telling you why people come to us than from their own mouths. Our students, schools and clients have all provided us with some words of why they come and use us.
The pupils have been thoroughly engaged with the Young Technicians course. They been given an opportunity to work with experts in the live sound and lighting industry to develop skills in computing and technology. The feedback from the pupils has been extremely positive.
Dan Doud
Head of School
William de Yaxley C of E Academy
Young technicians has been running at Sawtry Village Academy for two years. The group has grown in numbers each term. It now sees our students out on work experience in the industry, as well as running sound and lighting production for all our shows. The benefits of the scheme are not just learning skills of the industry, they also develop confidence and self esteem, learning to work in a team and lead projects. This scheme is an asset to our academy and I would thoroughly recommend it to other school and academies.
Sarah Wilson
Headteacher
Sawtry Village Academy
I have learnt lots about the live entertainment industry especially about sound engineering all in a fun group setting.
Leo
Student
I have worked with young tech for 2 years now. I run the arts award for them. This gives them a recognised qualification for the learning and skills they gain during their young tech sessions. I thoroughly love working with young technicians. They are keen and really are passionate and excited about the work they do. Pino has set up an amazing scheme, something that no one else is offering young people and they are learning real life skills along with industry and work experience.
Louise Chilvers
Arts Award Advisor
Pino and his team of Young Technicians are absolutely amazing! Our students have learnt so much from him and grow in confidence while doing so. The quality of our productions have improved so much since the Young Technicians started working with us three years ago. I would recommend to any school performing arts department. Not only do the students learn the live events industry they also run and operate all of the equipment on show nights!
Hannah Hughes
Subject Lead for Music and Performance
Sawtry Village Academy
Young Technicians have been invaluable to the success of our school performances since their involvement. Shows have been able to run much more smoothly and professionally, and they have helped alleviate some of the stress that can go alongside the process of running a production. Students get to take on real-world responsibilities and get a genuine feel for industry roles within live sound and lighting. I would highly recommend getting Young Technicians on board!
Pete Saul
Music Teacher
Abbey College
I’ve been a member of Young Technicians since it started and it has been amazing! The opportunities it gives to everyone is incredible. I’ve worked at all kinds of events from festivals to pantos
Toby
Student
Since joining the Young Technicians scheme two years ago, my knowledge of the live entertainment industry has expanded tenfold. I would recommend it to anyone and say that it both fun and educational for all members.
Ben
Student
Being able to provide a “live” location for the students to put their skills into practice is brilliant for us. It really adds to the community feel of our event and gives all the students a real life experience of what they have learned in the classroom
Stewart Howe
Yaxley Festival Founder
Young Technicians has opened up a huge amount of opportunities that you will not get anywhere else at this age. I have had the chance to work in a proper industry environment. As a performer, it is great to see what goes on backstage.
Thomas
Student
As a former student of the Young technicians CIC I personally would highly recommend it to any young person who is looking for a step into the live events industry.
One of the many things which I loved being a student was the amount of real-life experiences we had to work on live events from Yaxley festival all the way to school productions.
Young Technicians CIC has provide so much knowledge and experience for my future within the live events sector and I cannot thank the team enough!
Aaron Gray
Student
I can say that I really enjoyed being a student at Young Technicians CIC. I used to go to Sawtry Village Academy the tutors of the scheme were ace. They taught me self-confidence and how to progress in this industry. I love everything about it. I now also work with the tutors in my spare time as feel that they have done so much for me and I want to give back to the students there now. Thank you and you guys are awesome
Owen B
Student
Abbey College have been working alongside Young Technicians for 2 years now. During that time we have had 4 concerts, an outdoor music festival and 2 large scale school productions of which they have been an integral and crucial part. We have been able to use the technicians for numerous school events such as open evenings, Remembrance services to name a couple. The students in training have been able to help set up for assemblies and are now called upon by staff members within the school for all manner of technical needs.
The Young Technicians have transformed our Performing Arts events from a severely limited technical production to something that has wowed our staff and audiences and encouraged our students to sign up and take part in the training scheme. Prior to the pandemic we had nearly 20 students be a part of Young Technicians, each keen and eager to learn. Our school has been so proud of its tech team that they allow the students their logo’d apparel on event days to show the rest of the school who they are. Our school include the Young Technicians in their school prospectus and their information is now a permanent feature in our transition pack
Sarah Carr
Performance and ASCA Music Co-ordinator 2019
Abbey College
I have been involved in both festivals scenarios and theatre productions; and I truly believe – and this is what makes this scheme so unique – that I would not be where and who I am now without those hands on experiences since day one. However, not only have I developed my skills in event production, but I have also become a more confident, responsible person. I have met loads of new people in the industry and discovered that everyone started off the same as I have and so I have really taken their advice on board and bettered myself. I would 100% recommend this scheme to anybody as it is so rewarding and character building and it gives you a perfect mixture of theory and practical knowledge to become an expert in your field.
I promise you won’t regret it
Hannah
Student
I have worked with Pino Soccio, founder of young tech academy for over 10 years; first in my role as Head of music at Sir Harry Smith Community College, and now as a volunteer with Fenland Youth Radio and through Pino’s work at Young Tech academy. We have been delighted to use the Young Tech academy to support our public events at Sir Harry Smith Community College. The have helped us to create events which look and sound high quality and professional. The Young Technicians have supported us with Pantomimes, Christmas shows, Summer concerts and Christingles. We have held events both in school, and at different venues, such as St Mary’s church in Whittlesey; the Young tech academy are flexible in their approach and are have always been happy to work with us to meet our needs. All of the staff and students at Young Tech academy are dedicated to creating impressive, memorable performances through their outstanding technical support. I would recommend Young Tech wholeheartedly
Alison Freeman
Head of Music
Sir Harry Smith Community College