This year's Riggers' Forum will focus on a subject that has implications for everyone connected to the rigging industry - training. It's been widely recognised that training is a fundamental pillar of the industry, especially now the National Rigging Certificate is established. Routes to assessment are being developed, alongside courses that augment learning on the job, refresher training and product specific training for new starters and more experienced riggers. Yet there is a critical problem with training in the industry; the numbers of trainees are low, which means courses are struggling to remain viable.
A panel, which will include UK rigging training providers and representatives from PLASA, from the National Rigging Advisory Group and from other initiatives, will lead the discussion. Together with the participative audience they will look at what training is available, what people think should be available, the quality of training, how much it costs, how it relates to assessment for the National Rigging Certificate and other related topics.
The PLASA Riggers' Forum is aimed at working riggers, who rarely have an opportunity to express their opinions. Its relaxed format encourages the sharing of ideas and experiences. Just as it has in previous years, the forum will open up for general discussion of matters of concern to riggers or issues worthy of debate, over a few drinks.
It is free to attend but due to its popularity in previous years, registration at www.plasariggingconference.com/forum/register is required.
For those interested in attending, there is the added draw of both the PLASA Show 2014 - running from Sunday 5 October to Wednesday 8 October - and the PLASA Rigging Conference, which takes place on Monday 6 October. A special early bird booking rate of £150 plus VAT is available for the conference until Friday 19September.
The delegate rate includes refreshments throughout the day, lunch and networking drinks at the close of the conference. For more information and to book your place, visit
www.plasariggingconference.com
(Jim Evans)
