Power Awareness for Locations
Date: Wednesday 9 & Thursday 10 December 2026 | 1000 – 1700 | Glasgow
Deadline: Monday 16 November 2026 0900
This two-day course will equip Locations practitioners with the skills and confidence to safely and effectively assemble simple generator-powered electrical systems on location or at unit base. Combining expert instruction with practical demonstrations, participants will gain a clear understanding of safe working practices and power distribution in production environments.
What you’ll learn
• Basic electrical theory – differences between amps, ohms, volts and watts
• Single and three phase generation – benefits and application.
• Basic electrical maths – sizing generators or other supplies based on load.
• Electrical protection – how circuit breakers and RCDs work
• Practical generator operation and housekeeping
• Generator earthing – controls for unearthed systems
• Common issues – things tripping, hunting generators etc.
• How to set systems up safely in the field
• A brief guide to The Electricity at Work Regulations and their relationship with the Health and Safety at Work Act, including a review of pertinent Regulations and overview of the requirements of Standards such as BS 7671 and BS 7909.
• Practical steps for assessing electrical hazards and risk
• Modern power generation equipment – an overview of battery storage, hydrogen, fuel cells etc.
By the end of the course participants will be able to
> specify the correct equipment for a job
> deploy and operate a temporary power system on location safely
> have an appreciation of simple fault-finding measures
> understand and appreciate sustainable power options
Participants will be given a course handbook along with links to further useful resources.
Who is this course for?
This course is aimed at experienced practitioners in the Locations Department including Location Managers, Unit Managers, Assistant Location Managers and Locations Assistants.
Tutor
James Eade is a Chartered Engineer with over 30 years’ experience in the events and entertainment sector, specialising in electrical, mechanical and control systems. He has worked on major international projects, high-profile tours, industry standards and technical publications, and founded E-Mech Entertainment Engineering Ltd in 2006.
A respected industry leader, he served as technical editor of Lighting & Sound International for a decade, chairs the PLASA Innovation Awards panel, contributes to key British Standards committees including BS 7909 and BS 7671, and is recognised as an expert witness in both civil and criminal cases. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and holds senior positions across several industry and standards bodies.
Eligibility:
The programme is specifically for established film and television practitioners based in Scotland. Please only apply if you meet this criteria. BECTU opportunities for those in other areas of the UK can be found here: England, Wales.
> Applicants should be based and working freelance in film and television in Scotland.
> Students are not eligible for this training.
Selection:
> As this is a workshop style course, there are a limited number of spaces available to allow participants the opportunity to interact and ask questions.
> Places will be given to those who demonstrate the greatest professional need for this training with eligible Bectu members receiving priority for places.
> Places are provided free of charge but are worth a considerable amount.
Access:
The training will take place in person in Glasgow. If selected, we can help with travel costs for those based out-with Glasgow.
Access requirements can be arranged for those selected.
Upcoming Courses:
Have a look at our other upcoming courses here.
This course is being delivered with support from Scottish Union Learning, funded by the Scottish Government.
BECTU Vision is funded by Screen Scotland, Scottish Union Learning and BBC in partnership with Bectu.
If you have any queries please email vision@bectu.org.uk