Overview
The 168-hour Event Technician certificate program offers a comprehensive real-world experience that will equip you with key technical and creative skills in sound, lighting and video to kick-start your career in producing live events such as theatre and television productions, corporate events, sound stages and more. If you’re a new or aspiring social media content creator – this program will set you up for success. Looking to upgrade or modernize some of your current technical skills? This program can add to your professional toolkit and open up an array of exciting career prospects and pathways.
Gain hands-on skills through simulated learning opportunities in our upgraded theatre lab. Our industry professionals with live event production and audio engineering expertise will teach you how to:
- effectively communicate and collaborate on a live event crew
- set up, program and operate different types of lights and lighting systems for different types of live events
- capture professional-quality footage using both high-end cameras and smartphones
- assess the event location and environment to produce the perfect listening experience for your audience.
Prepare to be punctual, attend and participate in all classes on campus for an optimal learning and job-ready experience. Note that for all courses there will be some lifting of equipment required (maximum 12 kilograms).
This certificate is a great complement to our Digital Audio Certificate of Achievement program which can further augment your technical skillset for work as an audio technician or engineer for live events, film sets, production and recording and various other employment opportunities.
This program will prepare you for career opportunities in various industries for the following occupations:
- Assistant Chief Lighting Technician/Best Boy
- Audio Engineer
- AV Consultant or Technician
- Brand Consultant
- Broadcast Audio Engineer
- Chief Lighting Technician/Gaffer
- Camera Operator
- Content Creator
- Generator Operator
- Lighting Technician/ Lamp Operator
- Marketing Junior
- Recording Engineer
- Rigging Gaffer
- Set Wireman
- Stage Manager
- Stage Technician
- Theatre Lighting Technician
- Video Editor
- Video Switchers
The average starting salary in Canada for an Event AV Technician is $54,000 per year. The average starting salary for other related occupations may vary depending on the Canadian city and employer.
You must be a minimum of 18 years of age at the time you start the first course for this program. There are no other admission requirements (academic and/or work experience).
Program cost: The program consists of seven mandatory courses, each costing $599 in tuition fees. As a participant, you’ll have access to our simulated theatre and sound stage lab, DMX lighting board and mixing console. All supporting course materials and resources are accessible online in the Brightspace (D2L) learning platform.
In addition, you’ll need to purchase/bring your own:
- 32GB USB stick for assignments
- C-wrench
- Cellphone or video camera capable of shooting HD video 1920x1080 @ 29.97 (30) fps with audio
- CSA-approved hard hat
- CSA-approved safety shoes
- Heat-resistant work gloves
If you choose to bring your own laptop to class (not required), you’ll need the following software loaded on it. Note each product’s technical specifications required for use on your laptop:
- Audacity digital audio editor and recording application software
- Blackmagic Design Davinci Resolve video editing application
- Eos Family lighting console
- Lightworks cross-platform video editing software
Funding opportunities: Learn more about how to pay for or reduce your education/training costs, including the Canada Alberta Job Grant.
Delivery formats: This program is offered in person on SAIT campus only. Learn more about our delivery formats.
Micro-credentials: Each course in this program is eligible for a digital badge which is a great way to communicate your accomplishments and skills through your social networks. Learn more about SAITMicro.
Program completion: This program can be completed in as little as 8–12 months (subject to course availability) and up to 3 years. A non-credit SAIT Certificate of Achievement and transcript will be electronically issued to you upon successful completion. Learn more about SAIT credentials.
You can take one or a few courses at a time. Take AUDI-017 first; it is a prerequisite for all remaining courses in the certificate program. It’s up to you how you want to complete the remaining courses – by Sound (AUDI 012 & AUDI 013), Lighting (AUDI 018 & AUDI 019) or Video (VDEO 005 & VDEO 006). Note course prerequisites.
We also recommend registering as soon as possible (7–14 days in advance of the course start date). Payment is by Visa or Mastercard upon registration.
To self-serve register online:
- Set up your Con Ed student account.
- Follow instructions on How to Register and Pay for a Course
Declaring your certificate:
Once you’ve registered, we’ll automatically attach the certificate course requirements to your Con Ed student account in the My Certificates and Designations tab where you can track your progression to completion.