Table 1Transition record

stagehandtofollowspot operator

A stagehand already meets 67% of what the followspot operator role asks for. The move turns on 6 required skills not yet in the profile.

From stagehand

67%

Overlap1

To followspot operator

17 Skills carried over

6 Required, not held

36.7 Difficulty2

adjacent 0–30

moderate 30–55

substantial 55–75

career change 75–100

this move, 36.7

This move: 36.7 of 100 · moderate

1 Share of the followspot operator role’s weighted skill requirement already met by the stagehand profile. Required skills count in full, supplementary skills at 0.35. Directional: the figure for the reverse move differs. 2 Combines what is missing with how specialised it is, so a gap of general skills scores easier than the same number of narrow ones.

Table 2

Table 2 · What you already bring

Of the 17 skills that carry over, these are the ones fewest other occupations ask for. A followspot operator role needs them, and most people applying for one will not have them already. This is the part of a stagehand background worth leading with.

Skill the target role also needs Area

already held set up follow spots communication, collaboration and creativity
already held de-rig electronic equipment working with machinery and specialised equipment
already held assemble performance equipment working with machinery and specialised equipment
already held pack electronic equipment handling and moving
already held perform first fire intervention assisting and caring
already held set up equipment in a timely manner handling and moving

All 17 carried skills, including the 13 the followspot operator role treats as required.

Table 3

Table 3 · What you would need to learn

The 9 missing skills fall into 4 areas of the ESCO skill hierarchy, numbered below in the order worth working in: the areas carrying the most required skills come first, and inside each one the required skills sit above the supplementary ones.

Skill to acquire Tier

01 communication, collaboration and creativity 3 required, 2 supplementary

required, not held adapt to artists' creative demands required
required, not held communicate during show required
required, not held understand artistic concepts required

optional, not held adapt designers’ work to the performance venue optional
optional, not held identify technical resources for performances optional

02 working with machinery and specialised equipment 2 required

required, not held operate follow spots required
required, not held use communication equipment required

03 assisting and caring 1 required

required, not held follow safety precautions in work practices required

04 information skills 1 supplementary

optional, not held keep personal administration optional

Table 4

Table 4 · Where to start

The 3 entries a followspot operator role is least likely to hire without. The ordering is computed from the skill data, not from what pays.

Each entry opens a course search for that skill. Career Overlap earns nothing from these links.

Appendix

Appendix · The rest of the record

All 17 skills that carry over

Skill Type

already held assemble performance equipment skill
already held de-rig electronic equipment skill
already held follow safety procedures when working at heights skill
already held prepare personal work environment skill
already held prevent fire in a performance environment skill
already held set up equipment in a timely manner skill
already held set up follow spots skill
already held store performance equipment skill
already held use personal protection equipment skill
already held work ergonomically skill
already held work safely with machines skill
already held work safely with mobile electrical systems under supervision skill
already held work with respect for own safety skill
already held develop professional network skill
already held manage personal professional development skill
already held pack electronic equipment skill
already held perform first fire intervention skill

3 supplementary skills, helpful but not required

Skill to acquire Tier

optional, not held adapt designers’ work to the performance venue optional
optional, not held identify technical resources for performances optional
optional, not held keep personal administration optional

15 held skills the followspot operator role does not ask for

Skill Type

not needed by the target role assemble scenic elements on stage skill
not needed by the target role assemble the rehearsal set skill
not needed by the target role assemble truss constructions skill
not needed by the target role build scaffolding skill
not needed by the target role dismantle scaffolding skill
not needed by the target role dismantle the rehearsal set skill
not needed by the target role handle scenic elements during rehearsal skill
not needed by the target role modify scenic elements during performance skill
not needed by the target role organise stage skill
not needed by the target role prepare the floor for performance skill
not needed by the target role scaffolding components knowledge
not needed by the target role set up cameras skill
not needed by the target role set up pyrotechnical equipment skill
not needed by the target role set up stage lights skill
not needed by the target role work safely with chemicals skill

Index

Other moves recorded from stagehand

Full index of moves from stagehand

Note

How this record was compiled

Both occupations are taken from ESCO, which lists the skills and knowledge each occupation is expected to have and marks every one required or optional. Nothing here is a prediction about hiring, and nothing here knows that a particular employer wants a particular certificate. Treat Table 3 as a starting point for your own research rather than a syllabus. The full method states what these figures can and cannot tell you.