12 replies to this topic

[PYRODUDE!!!]

I?ve just found out that it takes 8 years of training to become a fully trained pyrotechnition, that?s longer than a doctor! I just wanted to know if it's worth the time, does it pay allot, is it fun? Etc.

Thanks

[littlejohny]

8 years thats a long time

[PYRODUDE!!!]

It is Johny, it is.

[Karl]

It depends if you can see the subject more of a career than a hobby.

I personally wouldn't do a 8 year course to become a fully trained pyrotechnition until I had solid proof that it was worth it.

I would get the training needed to do a few Cat4 displays a year on important dates such as November 5th and New Year.

[The_Djinn]

one question... after the 8 years what are you actualy qualified to do ?

[littlejohny]

I think it would have to pay a high amount for the fact that not many people would do an 8 year course,
8 years training ,you would have to pay alot of money for the course.

[Ingham Fireworks]

Eight, Bloody Year's? (Sorry, about the language)

I suppose if you want a qualification in the industry, it's worth the time/money ETC.

Personally I'd rather keep in the "Web Design" Industry a standard course costing around ?1500 could be completed within six month/s and the wage for that is around ?30,000/?50,000 Per Year.

[Richard H]

There is no qualification, there is no training program. There are many fine points of the art of pyrotechny. It takes many years to learn these through hands-on experience. If you want to earn a small fortune for yourself, then making fireworks is not the way to go! It is a labour of love and the margins for profit are often slim. There are so many things to learn, that in my opinion it could easily take the dedicated artisan more than 8 years!

The principles can be understood reasonably quickly, but putting them into practice can take a great deal longer.

Remember too that learning is subjective. Are you the kind of person who tries a bit of everything, or the type that approaches projects systematically until they are perfected?

[littlejohny]

Is the pay any good or is it fairly average?

[Spyrotechnics]

There is no qualification, there is no training program.

definately nothing that covers the massive subject of Pyrotechnics - which will certainly mean different things to different people

as for the pay - its pretty poor when you consider the knowledge/experience etc etc that you must have

[littlejohny]

well that just sucks then doesn't it. there goes that idea

[Amleth]

well that just sucks then doesn't it. there goes that idea

It's not something you do to make the big bucks. Pyrotechnics is something you only get into professionally if you really love it. Sure, you'll never be rich, but you get to spend every day doing something you love, and be paid for it. Very few people are lucky enough to actually make a living doing something they enjoy, and it's really hard to put a price on that...

[The_Djinn]

I think the best part of being a pyrotechnician is when the finale fires and you hear the deadly silence before the crowd erupts with oohs and aahs.
Not many jobs around that you can please so many people in such a short space of time.
As for the money side.. that all comes down to an individuals choice / ambition. Some people want to go out into the world and earn top money and others are happy to make minimum wage but I must admit it is extremely gratifying to work with brilliant people on great shows.