Placement Opportunities
Get a head start in your career in live events and enhance your employability with our first class ‘Job Ready’ placement opportunities.
What do we mean by ‘Job Ready’?
As employers, we believe that being ‘Job Ready’ isn’t just about your technical skills. It’s about matching our values; being interested in what we do and demonstrating a desire to learn.
It’s about being reliable, your ability to focus and your attention to detail.
And, most importantly, it’s about getting stuck in and working alongside a broad range of people.
We will ensure you finish your placement with us feeling confident, have a good understanding of what is expected of you and what is needed to ensure our clients are happy.
We also asked some of our top freelance crew chiefs “What makes a successful technician?”
Here is their Top 10:
Our Commitment
We are committed to the future of the live events industry; committed to attracting the top talent from schools, colleges and universities and committed to making it accessible to a more diverse group of young people.
It begins with creating first class opportunities for young people to gain real-life work experience in which they can contribute to an already successful team.
Our people are at the heart of our company and the foundation of our reputation as a leader in innovation, quality and customer service.
What are we offering?
We offer three different types of paid placement opportunities. You can join us for 3 months, 6 months or 12 months. The shorter 3-month placement is for those considering a career in the live events industry and want to learn more about what is expected. The longer 6-month and 12-month placements can form part of your degree or qualification.
We offer real-life work experience and you will be part of a highly skilled team working with top quality equipment on some of the highest profile events. Here is just a glimpse of the type of events you could be involved with:
All our placements involve our standard onboarding so you will be introduced to all areas of the business. Health and Safety is at the forefront of all our operations, so be prepared, grab your safety boots and we will ensure you can lift and move equipment safely.
All our placements are available for over 18s completing secondary education or students in further education. Not 18? We also offer opportunities for work experience - scroll to the bottom to find out more.
Who can apply for our placements?
If you’re:
3-Month Placement
Why should I do it?
Ideal for summer vacation work. Jump in at the deep end at our busiest time of year. You will get hands-on experience and a behind-the-scenes look at how we earned our reputation as one of the best production lighting companies in the world. Be a part of a technical team working with the newest equipment, servicing to the highest standard and developing innovative solutions to deliver events all over the world.
Working alongside our freelance technicians, you will be learning from the best to learn how to ensure the gear is well organised from truck pack to stage so the gig runs smoothly.
There is no better way to build transferable skills of teamwork, communication and the ability to work with a diverse range of people.
Opportunities for this placement are also available outside of the peak summer period, so please let us know what your availability is like when you apply.
What do I gain?
Competitive salary
Experience at the industry's coal face
Networking/contacts
Manual handling training
Certificate of achievement
Training logbook
Neg goody bag
Opportunity to come back to do the 6-month or 12-month placement
“It was the best summer of my life. It was intense but what I learnt that summer set me up to push me into the position I’m in today as a senior lighting technician at Neg.”
Jake Rodway, studied lighting at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, London
6-Month Placement
Why should I do it?
Unlike the 3-month placement, this experience allows you to gain an insight into all our departments, as well as specialise in one area of the business. In addition to hands-on servicing and preparation with our top technicians, you will also be able to take part in any in-house training and equipment specific training provided by our suppliers and manufacturers.
While we cannot always promise an event, you will have the opportunity to join our freelance technicians for a load in or load out. We believe these experiences are at the heart of a good CV, demonstrating how to be on time, organised and work effectively as part of a team.
What do I gain?
Competitive salary
Experience at the industry's coal face
Specialism in a technical area (e.g. LED and intelligent lighting, motors and rigging, consoles and data networking)
Onsite exposure
Networking/contacts
Manual handling training
Certificate of achievement
Training logbook
Neg goody bag + seasonal swag
Opportunity to come back to do another 6-month or a 12-month placement
“Besides working with the latest lighting tech every day, one area that has really fascinated me is the way that rigs are built into HUD truss to make the same show time after time in different venues. The pre-rigged aspect is so clever, and the way the trusses go together to create a seamless rig is really awesome. All the small details that make the show go together easily are so smart, and just being around the crews while this take place is so good to take in.”
Rory Warner’s journey
12-Month Placement
Why should I do it?
This placement allows the flexibility to gain experience in several areas of the business. You will work alongside our top technicians, growing and developing the technical skills to be confident in the workplace. In addition, you will also be able to take part in any in-house training and equipment specific training provided by our suppliers and manufacturers.
You will gain experience working with local crew, organising and supervising them in a warehouse or site setting, as well as developing leadership capabilities in other areas.
You will be assigned an in-house mentor to give you personalised guidance and advice. If you are studying, we will support any days required in university/college as well as provide practical support for projects.
You will have been through Neg’s full review process which will provide you with personal insights into how you perform and work with others across a broad range of competencies.
From our touring technicians to our company directors, there is a wealth of experience, expertise and know-how at your fingertips. We believe you will finish the 12 months educated, confident and ready for more.
What do I gain?
Competitive salary
Experience at the industry's coal face
Specialism in more than one technical area (e.g. LED and intelligent lighting, motors and rigging, consoles and data networking)
Onsite exposure
Networking/contacts
Manual handling training
Certificate of achievement
Training logbook
Neg goody bag + seasonal swag
“After my summer placement, I stayed working weekends and holidays with Neg, then did my final year placement. They helped and guided me through my project and provided me with so much support and teaching from Day 1. They really do care a lot, as long as you are willing to work hard, Neg is willing to put that straight back into you in ways that really benefit your career and the direction you want to follow. “
Jake Rodway’s continued journey
“I started with Neg during my holidays through university and it opened my eyes to the sheer scale and potential in a career in Lighting. Coming on as a full-time member of staff after university was always a path I knew I wanted to take. Working here has really opened my eyes to the scale and potential of the lighting and events industry as a whole.”
Rory Warner’s continued journey
Not 18? Work experience opportunities for 16+
Are you technically minded but not sure how to use your skills or what to study? Come and find out what it could be like working within the live events industry. We offer 1-2 weeks' work experience that will give you the opportunity to see first hand just what happens behind the scenes and the types of careers that exist.
