Are you looking for a practical route into the creative industries? Would you like to learn directly from experienced professionals in a fast paced working environment? Do you want to develop useful skills, kick-start or change the direction of your career and gain a nationally-recognised qualification? Then our Apprenticeships at Chichester Festival Theatre may be for you!

We are now recruiting for a Costume Technical Apprentice to join us from September 2025, to work in our busy Production department. This opportunity provides experience, skills, knowledge and formal training whilst working on a range of professional theatre productions across our three stages and elsewhere.

Apprenticeships at CFT are hands-on, paid, working roles, learning all the skills required to work within a busy producing theatre, equipping you to enter the industry after the fixed 2 year term. You will receive a nationally recognised Costume Technician Apprenticeship qualification, along with working with some of the most eminent costume industry professionals in the country.

All previous CFT apprentices have gone on to work professionally across the Performing Arts industry including on tours and in the West End in a variety of roles. This is the first year of the Costume Technician Apprenticeship, but previous apprentices have gone on to work across a wide range of roles within the Performing Arts Industry, including the RSC, National Theatre, West End and on Tour.

Join us for more information!

Have a read of the job description (you can download this below). If you want to find out more about apprenticeships and working at CFT, as well as getting some advice on how to apply and meet some of the team, we are running an event in the Festival Theatre Foyer on:

• Saturday 21st June  10.30 – 12.00
• Saturday 5th July    10.30 – 12.00

We recommend registering by emailing recruitment@cft.org.uk to let us know which session you’d like to attend, but if you haven’t then please don’t let that stop you attending. You're welcome to bring your parents, carers or partner with you to these events .

How to apply

When you're ready to apply, please send your  CV and a covering letter or a video to recruitment@cft.org.uk by 10am 11 July. Remember to say what role you are applying for as we have other recruitment happening alongside this post.

What we would like to see included in your CV is: 

• Details of your educational qualifications  
• Details of any work, work experience and any experience over the last two years – paid or voluntary  

What we would like to see in your covering letter/video is: 

• Why is this post of interest to you?
• How you came to discover your passion for Theatre Costume?
• What do you hope to gain from this apprenticeship?
• What makes you the best candidate?
• Let us know any experience or knowledge you have of theatre or live events that you feel is relevant to show us your passion for the live arts industry. (Maximum 500 words)

And

• Please tell us about your personal interests, hobbies and achievements that you are proud of so we can get a sense of who you are.  (Maximum 250 words)

If you need a change to be made to help you with your application, please contact us at recruitment@cft.org.uk. Please tell us what changes or help you might need. We are here to support you.