Training the pyrotechnicians of tomorrow

06 Sept 09, 9.30am
The FF training room is buzzing with the excited chatter of our latest batch of trainee pyrotechnicians. Today we're holding a beginners' course (Cat 3 fireworks) in which we teach the firework fundamentals. It's great to see the enthusiasm of everyone and as usual the course is fully subscribed. We have people from all over the country, from scout leaders to individual enthusiasts eager to learn how to make the most of their display. After coffee and buns it's down to business. Ali is here to do the training part and Hayley, our retail sales manager, will chat about individual fireworks and what they do. There is always a fund of stories to exchange and during the breaks everyone relishes the chance to talk fireworks. As non-professionals, they can only buy domestic DIY fireworks eg rockets, romans candles and mines. The next step up is our Cat 4 (professional) course later this month. Out of each group we always find one or two who make the grade into our pool of professional firers.