A career backstage was always the ambition for Rachael.

So securing a technical theatre apprenticeship at Stockton Riverside College was just what she needed to achieve her goal.

Now, having been snapped up as a theatre technician at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium in Yarm, it seems the hard work has paid off for the 23-year-old from Billingham. And Rachael couldn’t be happier.

“Coming back to college was a bit nerve wracking for me, but it has been really good and I made a lot of friends,” she said.

As for the apprenticeship, it couldn’t have been more perfect for the budding technician. Having previously carried out seasonal casual theatre work, the apprenticeship offered the chance to get real experience and the qualification to match.

She said: “I learnt so many skills working on a whole range of different performances with different people.”

It was these skills proved integral when it came to applying for the job at the theatre.

She said: “I was really happy when I found out I had got the job and the timing couldn’t have been better for me.”

Of her time at the college, she said: “I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship, it gives you the right skills and the right knowledge to start your career.”