Transformation in live events technical, production sector

The main purpose of the LETPC is to bring transformation to the live events technical and production sector, focusing on the need for a critical upgrade of skills development, sector training and skills interventions in the field. Currently, the sector’s skills qualification is only at matriculation level (NQF4), and urgently needs to increase to at least NQF5 and beyond in order to match international standards.

Last year the SARA gathered relevant stakeholders, professionals, practitioners and international market leaders in the events, technical, production and education sectors to debate, discuss and share knowledge regarding the way forward and to brainstorm as how to transform the sector at the LETPC 2015.

LEPTC 2015 outcomes:

• A transformation forum must be established to ensure that processes are followed through effectively.
  
• A skills-need analysis must be conducted so that a clear strategy mapping the way forward can be compiled.
  
• The skills qualification level must be upgraded to NQF5.
  
• There is a great need for a South African backstage academy to upskill staff currently in the sector and to educate the youth.

SARA president Freddie Nyathela shares his objectives for this year's conference: “The main aim is for us to move forward on the outlined LETPC 2015 outcomes, to follow through with implementation on the first SA Backstage Academy, focus on increasing the skills qualification level to NQF5, to set up the skills-need analysis and to bring transformation to this sector.”

This year, the LETPC 2016 looks forward to welcoming back international and local speakers John Botham from Semperior (UK), Dr Adrian Brooks from Backstage Academy (UK), and Kagiso Moima from Blackmotion (SA). New international and local guest speakers include Falco Zanini from VPLT (Germany), Julius Grafton from CX Network (Australia), Jim Digby from Event Safety Alliance (USA), Tony Kgoroge from CCIFSA (SA), and Quintus Myburgh from Gearhouse (SA).

The anchor sponsor for teh event is the Department of Arts and Culture, with sponsorship from The Gearhouse Group SA and Beautiful Creations as well. LETPC 2016’s official partner is the Sunnyside Park Hotel.

For more information on LETPC 2016 and to view the LETPC 2016 speaker profiles, go to www.letpc.co.za.