I have been with the forum a little while, but this is my first post.
Allow me to introduce myself:-
As a child I grew up with 'gunpowder in the blood', and thus the start of my love affair with pyrotechnics was born.
I currently work within IT and have done so for quite a few years now, however in the past I worked quite extensively with pyrotechnics. I have no formal qualifications in this area, just experience and self-teaching over the years. The work I did was mainly with the display companies and involved the usual stuff of setting up, fusing and firing displays. I have trained in the chemistry of pyrotechnics and explosives, and in the years before that I carried out an extensive amount of research into energetic materials, with specific interest in detonating and deflagrating compunds and pyrotechnics. I familiarised myself with all the legislation applicable to the field of work both through my own impetus and through the CBI EIG and in 1996 I was on the verge of setting up in business offering firework displays and special effects. Alas due to cicumstances of life, that did not happen. I've been out of the game now for about 10 years, and a lot has changed, both in terms of legislation and products/technical developments (I still have all the original documentation on legislation etc from back then). I'm not looking to start up a full scale operation, but I would like to be able to offer small scale special effects for re-enactment purposes (as a registered Sole Trader, and as an aside from my existing job). This would involve me obtaining the neccessary Acquire & Keep certificates, and having appropriate insurances and storage facilities etc. I am aware of one or two firms running SFX courses, which I would attend if I am permitted (assuming there are no pre-requisites to be part pf BECTU/JIGS etc). For those of you with good memories, you may remember back in the day when TPL ran a Diploma in SFX (I, sadly never got round to attending one of their courses). On another note, I foolishly turned down what would have been a job as a trainee technician working on London's Burning, and have regretted it ever since.!
And so I pose a simple question to you all. If I want to proceed as stated above, is there anything qualification wise ( I don't believe there is ) that I absolutely MUST have before I can go ahead? Clearly I understand that people will want to hire someone only if they have the experience and cover, but from a business point of view would I be OK to apply for the certification to A&K etc, without having completed any new courses?
Your advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
GZ
Edited by GZ22, 14 March 2007 - 04:43 PM.
