UK, 6 May 2026: Adlib has expanded its year-round schools outreach to tackle a persistent skills and awareness gap in the live events industry, making technical careers more visible to students before key education choices are made. Despite relying on skills from engineering, design and computing, the sector’s backstage roles remain largely absent from early careers awareness.
The UK’s live events industry is a multi-billion-pound economic engine and cultural powerhouse, combining creativity, technical expertise and large-scale logistics to deliver experiences that drive economic growth and support a substantial workforce across many disciplines. Despite this scale, entry routes into many of these roles remain less visible than those associated with more traditional career pathways.
A key challenge remains perception. While the industry has evolved significantly beyond outdated stereotypes, careers in live events are still often associated with a narrow view of “roadie” roles. In reality, the sector requires a broad mix of skills, from engineering, applied maths and software programming through to design and production, to deliver everything from global stadium tours to immersive installations. Improving understanding of these pathways is central to widening access.
In response, Adlib has focused on sustained, practical outreach rather than one-off interventions. This includes participation in Production Futures ON TOUR events across the UK, Theatrecraft at the Royal Ballet and Opera, and the DF Academy Careers Fair at Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow, alongside school visits, panel sessions and hosted experiences. These activities are all designed to give students direct exposure to live production environments and clearer insight into technical roles that are typically not represented within school careers frameworks.
A central part of this work has been led by Lisa Mitchell, Training & Development at Adlib and an ambassador for the Power of Events’ Schools Engagement Programme. Over the past year, her involvement has included more than 17 events, reaching over 6,000 students as part of a national initiative to improve early careers access to the sector.
Recognising that awareness gaps extend beyond students, Adlib also hosts dedicated events for under-18s alongside parents, guardians and teachers. These sessions include screenings of its “Making of Live Events” film, guided warehouse tours and Q&A discussions with technical specialists, helping adults better understand the range of career opportunities available and how young people can access them.
Andy Dockerty, Adlib founder and Vice Chair of PLASA, comments: “There is little concept from people as to what the Live Events Industry is. Consequently, there is little awareness of or knowledge about the available opportunities. Here at Adlib, we are aware of the sector skill shortages and career opportunities, and have taken the initiative to engage with young people to bring this amazing industry and its potential to their attention. We hope to inspire young people at an early age and encourage them to follow the right subjects in school to assist their career path, should they be interested in a role within the industry. The stereotypical impression of “roadies” is incredibly outdated, and the need for people interested in physics, maths, electronics, and engineering is a lot closer to the opportunities that the sector has to offer”.
Adlib has also developed digital content to support awareness beyond in-person activity. Its “Making of Live Events” video, launched in 2024, has generated more than 360,000 views on YouTube, providing an accessible introduction to roles across audio, lighting, staging and production.
Alongside external outreach, the company has also hosted activity at its Liverpool headquarters. An International Women’s Day event brought together more than 80 students from local secondary schools and colleges, combining industry talks with live demonstrations in a working production environment. Students were able to see technical systems in operation, interact with equipment and speak directly with engineers and technicians about their roles. Adlib also supports wider Liverpool City Region initiatives focused on engaging educators and families, working with partners including the Everyman & Playhouse theatres, Tate Liverpool, FACT and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic to help broaden understanding of careers across the creative and technical sectors.
Lisa Mitchell, Training & Development, Adlib, comments:
“Awareness of backstage roles is still low in schools. What makes the difference is consistent, practical engagement, whether that’s in classrooms, at events, or in real production environments. Once students see it for themselves, they start to connect their studies to real career opportunities.”
Hannah Eakins, CEO, Production Futures, comments:
“Live events help young people see how skills translate into real careers. Getting into venues, meeting professionals and experiencing productions firsthand makes those pathways feel real. That access is why employer partnerships like Adlib’s are so important.”
Susie Wallis, Careers Advisor at Magull High School comments, “These experiences open students’ eyes to careers they didn’t know existed. The practical element really engages them and gets them thinking differently about their options. We’re already seeing it influence subject choices in areas like design and technology.”
Industry-wide collaboration remains central to addressing long-term workforce challenges, with organisations including Power of Events and Production Futures working to align activity between employers and education providers. Adlib’s continued involvement reflects a long-term focus on workforce sustainability through consistent outreach.
With further activity planned throughout 2026, Adlib’s approach remains centred on improving awareness, access and understanding of live events careers at an earlier stage.
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