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Arts & EntertainmentISCO 3435

Head of workshop

A head of workshop is a person who coordinates the specialist workshops that construct, build, prepare, adapt and maintain the elements used on stage.

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Rate 5 of the 28 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

manage supplies

manage schedule of tasks

manage budgets

commission set construction

plan workshop activity

About head of workshop

The head of workshop works from the artistic vision of a production, the schedule and the production documentation, and turns them into what the shops will actually build, in what order and by when. A project schedule is drawn up accordingly, and it has to survive a design that changes during rehearsals.

The head of workshop leads the workshop team and manages supplies so that material arrives before the people who need it. The head of workshop is also responsible for the workshops' finances. Project costs are calculated before a build is committed and the budget is updated as the work proceeds, so that spending stays within the agreed funds. The head of workshop collaborates with the designers on the production, the production crew and the other departments of the organisation.

Chemicals are handled safely, from paints and solvents to adhesives, fire is prevented in the performance venue, where scenery, fabric and lighting sit close together, and ergonomic working methods matter when lifting awkward loads.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (28)

manage suppliesmanage suppliesMonitor and control the flow of supplies that includes the purchase, storage and movement of the required quality of raw materials, and also work-in-progress inventory. Manage supply chain activities ...manage schedule of tasksmanage schedule of tasksMaintain an overview of all the incoming tasks in order to prioritise the tasks, plan their execution, and integrate new tasks as they present themselves.work ergonomicallywork ergonomicallyApply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.lead a teamlead a teamLead, supervise and motivate a group of people, in order to meet the expected results within a given timeline and with the foreseen resources in mind.manage budgetsmanage budgetsPlan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.commission set constructioncommission set constructionMeet with specialised set construction companies and commission sets.plan workshop activityplan workshop activityPlan workshop activities according to production needs.perform quality control of design during a runperform quality control of design during a runControl and ensure the quality of design results during a run.work safely with machineswork safely with machinesCheck and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.update budgetupdate budgetMake sure that a given budget remains up to date using most recent and most accurate information. Anticipate possible variations and ensure that the set budgetary goals can be reached within the given...use personal protection equipmentuse personal protection equipmentMake use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.adapt to artists' creative demandsadapt to artists' creative demandsWork with artists, striving to understand the creative vision and adapting to it. Make full use of your talents and skills to reach the best possible result.prevent fire in a performance environmentprevent fire in a performance environmentTake steps to prevent fire in a performance environment. Make sure the space complies with fire safety rules, with sprinklers and fire extinguishers installed where necessary. Make sure staff are awar...calculate design costscalculate design costsCalculate design costs to make sure the project is financially viable.manage teamworkmanage teamworkPlan the working schedule of a group of people in order to meet all time and quality requirements. Supervise, support and instruct members of a team. Provide feedback to teams and individuals on work ...negotiate health and safety issues with third partiesnegotiate health and safety issues with third partiesConsult, negotiate and agree on potential risks, measures and safety procedures with third parties.translate artistic concepts to technical designstranslate artistic concepts to technical designsCooperate with the artistic team in order to facilitate the transition from the creative vision and its artistic concepts to a technical design.work safely with chemicalswork safely with chemicalsTake the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.support a designer in the developing processsupport a designer in the developing processSupport designers in the course of the developing process.develop project scheduledevelop project scheduleDefine the project completion stages, and create a timeline. Synchronise necessary activities, taking into account the convergence of production elements. Establish a schedule.analyse the need for technical resourcesanalyse the need for technical resourcesDefine and make a list of the required resources and equipment based on the technical needs of the production.promote health and safetypromote health and safetyPromote the importance of a safe working environment. Coach and support staff to participate actively in the continuous development of a safe working environment.work safely with mobile electrical systems under supervisionwork safely with mobile electrical systems under supervisionTake the necessary precautions while providing temporary power distribution for performance and art facility purposes under supervision.work with respect for own safetywork with respect for own safetyApply the safety rules according to training and instruction and based on a solid understanding of the prevention measures and risks to your own personal health and safety.consult with design teamconsult with design teamDiscuss the project and design concepts with the design team, finalise proposals and present these to stakeholders.react to emergency situations in a live performance environmentreact to emergency situations in a live performance environmentAssess and react to an emergency (fire, threat, accident or another calamity), alerting emergency services and taking appropriate measures to safeguard or evacuate workers, participants, visitors or a...use technical documentationuse technical documentationUnderstand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.follow safety procedures when working at heightsfollow safety procedures when working at heightsTake necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures...
Optional (10) — show
manage consumables stockmanage consumables stockManage and monitor consumables stock to ensure that the production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.provide first aidprovide first aidAdminister cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until they receive more complete medical treatment.provide technical documentationprovide technical documentationPrepare and distribute documentation to ensure all people involved in the production receive relevant and up-to-date information.write risk assessment on performing arts productionwrite risk assessment on performing arts productionAssess risks, propose improvements and describe measures to be taken on a production level in performing arts.make set construction drawingsmake set construction drawingsVisually describe the various pieces of the set in order to develop the plan and to share with others.ensure safety of mobile electrical systemsensure safety of mobile electrical systemsTake the necessary precautions while providing temporary power distribution independently. Measure and power up an installation.use specialised design softwareuse specialised design softwareDeveloping new designs mastering specialised software.document safety actionsdocument safety actionsRecord all actions taken to ameliorate health and safety, including evaluations, incident reports, strategic plans, risk assessments.oversee quality controloversee quality controlMonitor and assure the quality of the provided goods or services by overseeing that all the factors of the production meet quality requirements. Supervise product inspection and testing.archive documentation related to workarchive documentation related to workSelect relevant documentation related to the ongoing or complete work and take steps to archive it in a way that ensures its future accessibility.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a head of workshop do?

Heads of workshop coordinate specialised workshops that construct, build, prepare, adapt and maintain elements used on stage. Their work is based on artistic vision, schedules and overall production documentation. They liaise with the designers involved in the production, the production team and other services of the organisation.

What skills does a head of workshop need?

A head of workshop needs 28 essential skills, including manage supplies, manage schedule of tasks, work ergonomically, lead a team, manage budgets.

Will AI replace head of workshop jobs?

The AI disruption score for head of workshop is 31/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: update budget, manage schedule of tasks, manage consumables stock. Most resilient: react to emergency situations in a live performance environment, work with respect for own safety, provide first aid.

Quick Facts

SectorArts & Entertainment
ISCO GroupLegal, social, cultural and related associate professionals
Essential Skills28

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