Those looking to acquire new skills or re-qualify in backstage disciplines for live events can now book on to one of the following courses via www.backstage-academy.co.uk:
Rigging Course, Wednesday 16 - Thursday 17 January
Event Safety Passport (SPA) Course, Wednesday 27 February
Stage Pyrotechnics Course, Thursday 28 February
The two-day Rigging Course takes place in the arena-sized studio on site at LS-Live and is tutored by industry veteran Eric Porter. It's a practical and theoretical training course targeting anyone who works with rigging equipment and wants to improve their equipment knowledge, safety awareness, practical techniques and theory. Delegates will carry out practical sessions on a truss rig in the studio.
The Event Safety Passport is a nationally recognised qualification designed for anyone who works in a live event environment and is the essential health and safety course that provides a basic level of awareness. Candidates who successfully pass the exam at the end of the day will be issued with a credit card sized safety passport to show to employers, which lasts for three years and must then be renewed by re-taking the course.
The Stage Pyrotechnics Course is tutored by Lincoln Parkhouse of Just FX, one of the founding members of the Association of Stage Pyrotechnicians. The course provides attendees with an overview of different pyrotechnic devices, their uses and current health and safety legislation. The day includes a lot of practical activity and culminates in a pyrotechnics display finale in the LS-Live rehearsal arena. Candidates will automatically gain membership to the Association of Stage Pyrotechnicians upon completion of the course.
(Jim Evans)
