We’re grateful to all our clients and partners in the production community who have engaged with us to jointly develop and refine our advice, protocols and training. It’s been a great collaboration."
Paul Greeves
Managing Director, First Option
10,000 delegates trained on First Option's COVID-19 courses
Photo credit: First Option
When media and entertainment productions ground to a halt in March 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, First Option, an ERM Group company, began designing our Managing COVID-19 Risks on Productions course; a course to provide delegates with an understanding of the current risk management protocols in respect of COVID-19 and production, and to give a broad overview of the risk management issues to be considered during the making of programs during the current crisis.
In May 2020 the course was launched and one year later our incredible training team has successfully trained 8,459 delegates to ensure they have a thorough understanding of protocols, procedures, and health and safety regulations, including how productions should manage the risks in studios and on location. Using interactive sessions via Zoom to utilize multimedia presentation, the course reviews real-life control strategies currently being used on production and allows for group participation and discussion. What our clients said:
- “Clear, concise and authoritative orator, encouraged a hive mind to questions raised. I would seek out the trainer to deliver future training.”
- “The course was well paced with two breaks and plenty time to take in the facts. The main facts were clearly emphasized. A pleasant way to learn.”
- “Entertaining, engaging and informative.”
Once productions were back up and running, the need for dedicated COVID-19 supervisor’s onsite became essential. With this in mind, our COVID-19 Supervisor course was launched in June 2020 and a further 1,544 people have now completed the training, which enables successful delegates to meet the role requirements of a COVID-19 Supervisor.
Designed to help participants implement control measures and protocols on shoots, the course includes employer's obligations with respect to COVID-19, as well as health and safety regulations, risk management techniques, risk assessment principles, risks resulting from COVID-19 and appropriate controls including: crewing, recces, locations, travel, communal spaces, hygiene procedures, use of PPE and emergency arrangements. We have had some great feedback:
- “Great course that was well put together and delivered, thank you so much.”
- “Clear and concise information excellently presented by a very informative trainer.”
- “Terrific, relaxed, informed and expert. The trainer marshaled the day in a way that enabled the course to evolve and take shape within a well-devised, relevant framework of study.”
On top of these figures, we have also supplied COVID-19 training to a number of universities and colleges during the same period. To date, 2,021 students have been enrolled onto online course offering, with 1,099 students having passed. While the situation remains ever-changing, we continue to adapt and refine our training to meet the current needs of production.