TRAINING places which offer the chance to work in one of the world’s great theatres are on offer to young people living in Essex.

London’s Royal Opera House is offering the apprenticeships at its Essex training centre in Purfleet, where scenery for Covent Garden productions is constructed and painted.

The apprenticeships cover scenic metalwork, scenic art, scenic carpentry, and the organisation of learning and participation events.

Trainees will get the chance to learn from skilled professionals with decades of theatrical experience behind them.

The High House site, in Purfleet, includes a wide range of purpose-built training equipment.

The centre was described by former ROH chief executive Tony Hall , now director-general of the BBC, as “the finest backstage training facility in Europe.”

Apprentices who are midway through their training have given a big thumbs-up to life and work at High House.

Education apprentice Sam Harding said: “I have always been interested in the theatre, and had considered acting. I was drawn to the education role as I wanted to learn more about backstage at a theatre, and how a venue is run.

“I appreciate the fact my apprenticeship is heavily workplace based. I usually spend one day per fortnight on college coursework. “Overall I have been surprised and pleased by the level of responsibility that I have been given, so I feel I am getting a lot more out of the experience that I would have expected “To anyone considering taking up one of these fantastic opportunities, I would say, go for it. There is no reason why it can’t be you.”

Technical theatre apprentice Paddy Hail said that has been no such thing as a typical day at the Royal Opera House.

“It’s not some 9am to 5pm job at a desk – it’s a lot more rewarding than that’, he says. “Coming in the door at 8am to find out you’re building the scenery for the Baftas is insane.

“Playing a role in something that so many people watched and attended gives you a great feeling about yourself and your jo, and getting feedback from your bosses and outside contractors makes you feel really positive. I love it all.”

Costume and footwear technician apprentice Sophie Willis,, has greatly appreciated the variety and responsibility she has been offered in her role.

She says: “Nothing can teach you how to keep your cool while sewing someone into their trousers after the beginners’ call, apart from experience.

“I never expected to be spending nine hours a day sticking individual crystals onto pointe shoes. How could anyone expect that? It’s so much more than just washing and ironing.”

Scenic carpentry apprentice Lucy Kevill says nobody should be intimidated by the prospect of training with the Royal Opera House.

She recommends the best way to do well as an apprenticeship is to have faith in one’s own ability.

She says: “You don’t need to be highly qualified to get these apprenticeships, you will get all the training you can dream of, but you need to have the desire to succeed,.

“So just really believe in your potential and others will see it too. That’s the way it works here.”

l Royal Opera House apprenticeships at High House, Purfleet, are open to those currently living and working anywhere in Essex. The closing date for applications is Monday, June 1.