The Wales Millennium Centre is the largest theatre in Wales with a relatively small pool of technical staff for such a major employer. In 2012, they set up a Creative Apprenticeship Scheme which invests in, encourages and develops future generations of stage technicians, electricians and other "behind the scenes" roles through hands-on experience in house and on tour over the period of a year. The apprentices are offered peer-to-peer training and mentoring in areas including lighting, sound, electrics and rigging. They work within the main theatre and across other venues, both within the Centre and off-site. In September 2012, the Trustees of The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation agreed to provide funding to cover salary, tools and external training for one apprentice per year for three years. The Trustees of the Foundation were particularly impressed with the opportunities and exceptional training this scheme provides to young technical theatre apprentices at a crucial stage in their career development. As at November 2014, the first apprentice - Joanna - has completed her 12 month placement and concluded that she would definitely like to pursue a career in Stage Management. She is working on The Lion King at the Centre over the Christmas period. The second apprentice - Carly - is currently midway through her placement with the Centre. She grew up with the theatre and has always been acting or helping backstage at school, college and elsewhere. She applied for the apprenticeship as she wanted to widen her experience in technical theatre with a view to becoming a qualified stage manager in the future.