Costume Making Apprentice

Summary

The Costume Making Apprenticeship at ROH is an opportunity to acquire the practical craft skills for costume making for ballet and opera that are transferrable to the wider performing arts industries. If you enjoy sewing and finding out how garments are constructed, gain these skills in one of Europe's busiest opera houses.

Annual wage

£14,144 to £25,282.40 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Salary increases by 2.5% in second year

Training course

Garment maker (level 3)

Hours

Shifts TBC.

42 hours 30 minutes a week

Possible start date

Monday 1 September

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

Assist with the making and fitting of costumes for all new productions and for revivals of existing shows
Contribute to the maintenance of show records, relevant notes and make detailed notes of alterations that are required
Assist with the fitting of costumes
Take and record accurate measurements of artists
Maintain a safe & tidy work area, cleaning & basic maintenance

Where you’ll work

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE

COVENT GARDEN

LONDON

WC2E 9DD

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

SOUTH ESSEX COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION

Your training course

Garment maker (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

Interpret and follow garment specifications, patterns and/or instructions.
Inspect garment components, identify and deal with any issues found, for example material/design compatibility, surface flaws, shading, misprint, pulls, holes, shrinkage.
Select, prepare and operate sewing machines, for example lockstitch machine, blind hemmer including machine adjustment for different materials.
Organise work and workstation layout.
Assemble fabric components to make a whole garment.
Select and use different types of sewing needles for different materials, for example size, diamond point, ballpoint.
Select and use different types of attachments, for example adjustable presser foot, zipper foot, seam guide, applique foot.
Match fabric prints, checks and stripes during garment assemble.
Hand stitch garments, for example baste, catch, running, slip, chain or couching stitch.
Sew different seam types, for example, flat seams, lapped seams, over locked seam.
Shape garments using different sewing techniques, for example, darts, gathers, tucks.
Position and attach trimmings, for example braid, bias lace. buttons, eyelets.
Finish garments; selecting appropriate techniques, for example rolled hems, zip insertion, pockets, fusing.
Press garments; set up and operate pressing equipment for example steam irons, block press, trouser press and steamroll.
Check the balance, component positions, set, grain, ease and drape of garments using mannequins or modelling.
Use the tools of the trade to make and shape garments, for example scissors, snips, steamroll, corner shaper, loop turner, measuring tape, mannequins.
Measure and figurate garments considering critical measurement points, body shape and silhouette.
Select, position and apply labels for example care, size and brand labels.
Complete records and technical documents, for example production make-up sheets, work dockets.
Inspect the quality of construction during the garment make-up process and change methods if required.
Identify, diagnose and rectify garment faults, for example poor fit, sizing, mismatched seams, fabric damage, incorrect markings, returns.
Develop and apply the production sequence and assembly method.
Review complete garments, contribute recommendations that may benefit the garment or the manufacturing process.
Communicate with colleagues and/or stakeholders – verbal and written; using industry terminology, for example drape, ease, baste, nap, grain.
Make and apply collars for example shirt collar and stand, convertible collar, shawl collar or mandarin collar.
Interpret and follow garment specifications, patterns and/or instructions.
Inspect garment components, identify and deal with any issues found, for example material/design compatibility, surface flaws, shading, misprint, pulls, holes, shrinkage.
Select, prepare and operate sewing machines, for example lockstitch machine, blind hemmer including machine adjustment for different materials.
Organise work and workstation layout.
Assemble fabric components to make a whole garment.
Select and use different types of sewing needles for different materials, for example size, diamond point, ballpoint.
Select and use different types of attachments, for example adjustable presser foot, zipper foot, seam guide, applique foot.
Match fabric prints, checks and stripes during garment assemble.
Hand stitch garments, for example baste, catch, running, slip, chain or couching stitch.
Sew different seam types, for example, flat seams, lapped seams, over locked seam.
Shape garments using different sewing techniques, for example, darts, gathers, tucks.
Position and attach trimmings, for example braid, bias lace. buttons, eyelets.
Finish garments; selecting appropriate techniques, for example rolled hems, zip insertion, pockets, fusing.
Press garments; set up and operate pressing equipment for example steam irons, block press, trouser press and steamroll.
Check the balance, component positions, set, grain, ease and drape of garments using mannequins or modelling.
Use the tools of the trade to make and shape garments, for example scissors, snips, steamroll, corner shaper, loop turner, measuring tape, mannequins.
Measure and figurate garments considering critical measurement points, body shape and silhouette.
Select, position and apply labels for example care, size and brand labels.
Complete records and technical documents, for example production make-up sheets, work dockets.
Inspect the quality of construction during the garment make-up process and change methods if required.
Identify, diagnose and rectify garment faults, for example poor fit, sizing, mismatched seams, fabric damage, incorrect markings, returns.
Develop and apply the production sequence and assembly method.
Review complete garments, contribute recommendations that may benefit the garment or the manufacturing process.
Communicate with colleagues and/or stakeholders – verbal and written; using industry terminology, for example drape, ease, baste, nap, grain.
Make and apply collars for example shirt collar and stand, convertible collar, shawl collar or mandarin collar.

Your training plan

You will spend time in all three of our costume making workrooms
These are: Revivals Workroom, Mens Workroom
& Ladies Workroom
The Training Provider is South Essex College in Purfleet, Essex, and you will work towards a level 3 Garment Maker Apprenticeship Standard
College teaching will be in blocks and during this time you will work from both Covent Garden in the workplace and at South Essex College campuses in Essex for college delivery

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English (grade 4)
Maths (grade 4)
(no previous qualifications required) (grade n/a)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Team working
Interest in costume making
Interest in period costume
Hand & machine sewing skills
Familiarity with sewing terms
Helpful, Positive Proactive
Punctual
Manage own workload
Self-motivated
Interest in theatre

Other requirements

You must be 18 years old or over on 1 September 2025. You must have work authorisation for the UK. You must not have completed a university degree or equivalent level qualification in the UK or elsewhere. You must be physically capable of undertaking the requirements of the job. Reasonable adjustments will be considered as part of your application.

About this company

We bring together the world’s most extraordinary artists in live, streamed and broadcast events and performances that thrill, move and excite; that transport people to other worlds. Our theatres are in London’s Covent Garden but our work is accessed and experienced across the UK and globally through touring partnerships, cinema programmes, free outdoor screenings, radio, TV and live-streaming.

http://www.roh.org.uk/apprenticeships (opens in new tab)

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Able to secure entry level Costume Production role or similar in the creative industries
Translate designs into garments suitable for performance in a theatre costume department

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SOUTH ESSEX COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION

recruitment@roh.org.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000291238.

Apply now

Closes on Monday 27 January

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

Company’s application instructions

Give yourself plenty of time to complete the application form. These apprenticeships are designed for people who are passionate about pursuing a career, but who still have lots to learn! Don’t be afraid to give examples from your hobbies, clubs or school activities. We are not necessarily looking for any experience in a workplace.

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