Professional Forum - BPA Course

Signum · 10th February 2010, 9:10 PM

Hello

I can;t reply in the pro forum, but had a reply/question about the thread on BPA course, i clicked the link, had a look as its something im considering doing this year - after all, knowledge and quals can only be a good thing.

One concern i noticed on the web page regarding the cousre, it says no free lance firers and must be associated with a company otherwise you cant attend.

I know what the word freelance means, but what does it cover in the FW world - for example, i hope he doesn't mind me using it as an example, can remove if so, but i noticed on meggsy's profile he firers for a number of display teams - is this classed as freelance?

Just to clarify it really? Cheers

pyromad · 11th February 2010, 12:08 PM

Are you firing for a company or do you work on your own? Its its the 1st then you can do the course under there name if not then you willl have to find a company that will allow you to do the course under there name.

Hope that makes sense.

Arthur · 11th February 2010, 5:19 PM

The BPA levels 1 and 2 courses are for people who fire for a company NOT for people who fire for themselves as a company. Freelance is really the wrong word for their needs but they use it! A freelancer is responsible for their own taxes NI etc and their own insurance. In a casual employment situation the employer is responsible for everything. VERY few fireworks companies can afford a full crew of full time full year staff!

The Illuminate Consult course as occasionally hosted by the UKPS (and available many other ways for more money!) is better suited to the needs of people intending to pass the level of lead firer and get into management.

�PureParty · 11th February 2010, 5:32 PM

Wether the terminology is correct or not, the sentiment is that you should be "affiliated" with a particular display company to undertake this course.

The best way to meet the courses requirements is to get the display company you are affiliated with to make the booking for you, as we have done for some of our firers in the past (I even took the courses myself

)

Training is good, experience is better

Stu

meggsy · 11th February 2010, 5:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Signum

Hello

I can;t reply in the pro forum, but had a reply/question about the thread on BPA course, i clicked the link, had a look as its something im considering doing this year - after all, knowledge and quals can only be a good thing.

One concern i noticed on the web page regarding the cousre, it says no free lance firers and must be associated with a company otherwise you cant attend.

I know what the word freelance means, but what does it cover in the FW world - for example, i hope he doesn't mind me using it as an example, can remove if so, but i noticed on meggsy's profile he firers for a number of display teams - is this classed as freelance?

Just to clarify it really? Cheers

I'm just a pyro whore,

seriously though, I did my course whilst firing for Kimbolton, though I actually started with and was working for Flashpoint (when they first started). KB required that I had to have experience under my belt. It's one of those things, whilst I have always been with Flashpoint, I have freelanced for many companies and worked with some great people, in fact quite a few people I work with move around a lot, we are a transient bunch.....whoever your working for it seems there is always someone you will know on the team, or companies employ other companies firers at big events all very incestuous

.

My advice is to start getting some experience, (don't expect to be paid much, if at all to begin with

) if you work hard and they don't think your a prat, the company will ask you back.

Once you are able to say 'I fire for'.....etc....getting on a course will not be a problem.

However, don't get hung up on the BPA qualification, I know quite a few leading people in the industry who don't have it. That is not to say it's a bad thing, a qualification when dealings with fireworks and pyrotechnics in general is a great thing, and what the BPA have set out to achive is great, but until the BPA as a body encompasses the entire industry, not just an elite group, it is in my (very humble) opinion de facto, fairly meaningless. Perhaps the companies that are part of the BPA will require a BPA qualification if you want to work for them, but most others won't. This is an argument that has gone on and on (an old chestnut I bring up from time to time

), and the BPA for whatever reason (and I am sure they are good one's - does anyone actually know?) exclude a large part of the industry.

So get your experience get a company association and your training and enjoy it.....

Signum · 11th February 2010, 7:23 PM

Thank you for your replies people, this has answered my question and more which is good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PureParty

Training is good, experience is better

Stu

Couldn't agree more, i can relate this to my job as a sparks, the endless amount of guys that's do a full time elec course, get on site and know jack sh*t if ya get what i mean.
All i was thinking was, experience is something im hoping to start adding to my arsenal this year and i thought for the small price �150 which isn't a huge amount, i could get that little bit of knowledge in Cat 4 that i can take to sites and a have more of an idea of what people are doing, rather than relying on good folk like you all to spend hours going back to basics.

There will always be things to learn, but this way it meant when someone was showing me, i would have already come across the terminology, the techniques before, all i would be doing is practising them and improving that skill.

Meggsy, your opinion is an interesting read, i was aware it isn't a must, but thought a vast majority of companies prefer it, but as its not an industry umbrella that BPA cover, then i guess what your saying is, if your known to be good, honest and of course safe then there are plenty of companies that you could offer services to until you get BPA (if you decide to)

I wouldn't look to get paid, i think a huge % do it for the love of pyro, thats why were all here right? So bring on the firework period and lets see what goes from there i guess, get some experience in and see what the world deals me

Thanks again for your replies chaps, been a good chat.

(PS. maybe there is a gap in the market for a Cat 4 weekend course, no exam, just so people can learn some history etc, fusing techniques, it wouldnt entitle them to anything more, but gives them a head start 'as well' as the on site experience?)

�PureParty · 11th February 2010, 7:32 PM

Quote:

then i guess what your saying is, if your known to be good, honest and of course safe then there are plenty of companies that you could offer services to until you get BPA (if you decide to)

I agree

sultanbrown · 11th February 2010, 7:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Signum

There will always be things to learn, but this way it meant when someone was showing me, i would have already come across the terminology, the techniques before

(work with enough different people and you'll understand)

Signum · 11th February 2010, 7:52 PM

Don't worry fella, I get ya point Sultan, i imagine many people do have different ways of doing things - but a head start can only be a good thing....right??

sultanbrown · 11th February 2010, 8:19 PM

It all boils down to basic competence and other's faith that you have it. Some may get reassurance by a certificate, some may not. I could tell within five minutes of working with you that I would rather have you on my crew than some people I've met with more experience and a bit of paper.

I'm firmly in the "couldn't give a rat's arse about the BPA" camp, as it stands.