(aka Generator Operator) 

Generator Operator is a specialist role within the Lighting Department, and one a Lighting Technician may choose after initial training and some working experience.  The Genny Operator's role is to maintain and operate the electricity generators which are taken to, and used at, locations where an electricity supply is difficult to obtain, or is insufficient for the requirements of the production, e.g., in a desert, in a field, on a bus or boat. 

Generators are also used to supplement the electricity supply when a particular lamp requires more power than can be obtained from the ordinary electricity mains; and also to supply power to specific equipment, such as a satellite dish.  Genny Operators work within the garage department of a lighting company, in order to gain experience of the vehicles used to transport the generators.

Responsibilities
Genny Operators' main responsibility is to load the generator and drive it to the required location. They must ensure that it is fully operational, and that is meets the specifications required for the production.  They clean and maintain the generator, and carry out some maintenance on the carrier vehicle.

Skills
Any qualified electrician is able to operate a small generator (up to 20KW).  However, for larger generators, a specialist Genny Operator is required, holding a full HGV licence, in order to transport the generator to different locations.  For insurance purposes these specialists must be over 21 years old. They need a wide knowledge of the range of generators used for different purposes.  Ideally, Genny Operators should have had some experience of working with diesel engines; however, as vehicles' systems become increasingly electronic, they should at least have some general mechanical awareness in order to be able to keep vehicles maintained.  Practical problem-solving ability is useful, as they may be working in difficult circumstances.  As is required of anyone working with electricity, an awareness of Health and Safety legislation and procedures is very important.

Qualifications/Experience
Genny Operators must be fully qualified electricians, with the relevant City & Guilds qualifications (Part 1 and 2 City & Guilds 2330 Certificate in Electro-technical Technology).  In addition, they must complete one year's further training during which they must pass their HGV driving test, and learn about maintenance and faultfinding for the different models of generators.

Individual course accreditation in certain subject areas is currently being piloted. As part of Skillset's and the UK Film Council's Film Skills Strategy, A Bigger Future, a network of Screen Academies and a Film Business Academy have been approved as centres of excellence in education and training for film.

Where to go for more information
Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries. The first sources of information for all jobs in the industry are the National Occupational Standards. Browse Skillset's website for links to our network of training partners, information about training and access to the comprehensive Skillset/BFI course database. Finally, Skillset Careers is UK's only specialist media careers advice service; for detailed media careers information and advice, visit www.skillset.org/careers.