240 replies to this topic

[portfire]

From Steve's office today "the certs will leave the office friday eve or monday morning so tuesday or wednesday next week" The secretary wouldn't tell me who passed.

Thanks for this post Arthur, it explains why I got my manual today and nothing else. I've NEVER been so nervous opening a letter

[Spyrotechnics]

what test did you take???

[Arthur Brown]

It was IlluminateConsult's own course and 35 question multi choice test with a practical fusing and firing session.

[Spyrotechnics]

always nice to do well in any test, but its not as if passing it would actually "do" anything for you - apart from boosting your confidence

[David]

Starsky, I don't mean to be rude, but was that comment really necessary? Clearly a lot of effort has gone into this course from all involved, and that sort of comment comes across as a little condescending .

Edited by David, 26 September 2008 - 10:52 AM.

[dogsbody]

had the course been a different time of the year (and preferably in the westcountry) I would have signed up (any thoughts on getting one done down here?)

At least having done the course you now know you are doing things the correct way and if asked you can say that you you have the ticket to do it!

well done to all of you for doing it!

[Arthur Brown]

Everyone who took the course knew at least 20% of it before the day, but everyone a different 20%!

As a starter course to being a firework company proprietor the course is without equal or better, especially for the fee and the duration.

As Roy Musk of Then Insurancexperts said: this course covers so much more than a BPA 1 & 2 which he said wasn't sufficient to be properly insured without extra experience.



The course can run again, It can run anywhere if there is a room and a firing site within walking distance, yes it can run in the southwest or Kent, or wherever BUT unless there are 10 the cost is a bit much when divided up.

[Spyrotechnics]

Starsky, I don't mean to be rude, but was that comment really necessary? Clearly a lot of effort has gone into this course from all involved, and that sort of comment comes across as a little condescending

Calm down dear, its just an opinion....

I do appreciate the amount of effort that went into organising it and I know the tutor personally, he is an extremely knowledgeable guy. I wouldn't for once doubt that the course went further than BPA level 1, for one I didn't attend the course and therefore couldn't make a judgement and secondly my daughter could take the BPA level1 exam and pass it...

The comment wasn't a swipe at the course it was aimed towards the guys who were excited/nervous at the prospect of getting the results, meaning don't worry if you don't pass as there aren't any real implications to passing/failing apart from your own knowledge that you absorbed and retained what the course tutor intended, which is good

[TCblastmaster]

Yes we were a surprise to him because he said he expected a lesser attitude but was very surprised by the dilligence and competence shown.

AFTER the silly season Steve and Chris will be available for professional consultancy on skills, legislation and licences. For Professional fees.

Seems reasonable for those of us who see the course as an essential first step in doing legitimately something we love - with the added possibility of at least covering costs. Constructive advice from someone in the industry will also fill in some of the inevitable gaps on how to go about things. An investment really.

Illuminate Consult struck me as a first class outfit who were more concerned about the reputation of the industry than anything else.

TC

[phildunford]

They struck me as a very competant bunch and I was very happy with the course. I don't know if I will pass or not - certainly did not get all the questions right.

I think it's more important that people attended than that they passed. I believe everybody picked up something of value.

The fact the industry is not truely 'regulated' means that there is no exam route to firing displays and buying CAT 4. Really it's a matter of becoming known to people, who will then gain more confidence in you. This course again took us further down this road.

There was some benefit the other way too, as Steve pretty much admitted he was expecting a bunch of dangerous, pyromaniac lunatics and found instead sensible, well informed and safety consious people who love fireworks - maybe this will feed back to the industry.

[Arthur Brown]

I think everyone learned a LOT, even those with some experience. Some bad habits were shown up, and the current best practise offered. Lots of regulations were covered even an intro to ADR. Several enquiries were made about getting stores to MSER sorted.

[teaboy]

Unfortunately I was unable to attend the course (due to work), although it sounds like it was a useful day out.

The problem with the industry at the moment is that there is no 'standard' level for 'professionals'. I feel the BPA will eventually become the standard qualification, so would recommend that as the direction to go next. I'd definitely be interested in a course with BPA qualification at the end (especially if it covers level 1 AND 2), as would many other non-forumites I work with. If (some of) ADR can be tagged on, all the better.

[phildunford]

Problem as I understand it (& correct me if I am wrong) is that you cannot do BPA 1 & 2 unless you are attached to (work for) a commercial fireworks company...

[Arthur Brown]

Very Useful day out!

The course was chosen to be way past just BPA 1 & 2. Which are for employed firing assistants and firers respectively.

This was a grounding for being a self employed fireworks company proprietor.

The ADR and CDG parts of the course were to transport legally without getting into the full implimentation of ADR. The ADR course is several days and gets you a five year addition to your driving licence.

[phildunford]

So Arthur, do you think companies would accept this course as 'surpassing BPA 1 & 2'? It does not have a name or reputation as such, and I do wonder what it would mean to other companies in the industry - lots I hope, but I don't know...