FAQs

What is the Gigsavvy Platform? it seems to cover multiple things.

For the creative and night-time industries, we essentially provide a 4-way integrated ecosystem which covers Training / H&S Management / Industry Directory / and Event Planner.

*Note: Organisations in other industries may choose to utilise certain aspects of the Gigsavvy Platform. – For instance, the health and safety management system with digital Risk Assessment, Reporting Procedures, Internal Audit, Safety Checks and Briefings etc is relevant to any workplace or industry.

How do companies or organisations benefit by being on the platform?

All companies and organisations have a legal obligation to comply with relevant Health & Safety legislation.

In short:

• They need to supply a safe place of work
• They need to carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments.
• They need to give employees relevant H&S training ‘Free of Charge’ to help ensure competence in relation to their role.
• They need to have a Health & Safety Policy

The online, on-demand Gigsavvy Platform facilitates all of the above with:

1. A company profile where relevant documentation can be uploaded (eg: insurance certs) or some documents can be completed via the digital system (risk assessments, health & safety policy etc). The company profile is overseen by a person in a supervisory or managerial capacity (known on the Platform as a Nominee) who completes an IOSH Managing Safely course and gains accredited and approved IOSH Certification. This helps to prove competence in health and safety in regard to their role of overseeing the company or business profile on the platform.
2. A digital Health, Safety & Security Management System (HSSMS) which can be used on smartphones, tablets etc, allows the business profile access to digital risk assessments, reporting systems, internal auditing forms, safety walks and safety briefings – *All instantly documented and timestamped*.
3. An event or gig planning diary integrates with the HSSMS and allows the company to invite other companies or individuals to collaborate on, or work at planned events. *ideal for tours, or multi-venue events or festivals.
4. We include ‘industry-specific’ Gigsavvy health, safety and security e-learning modules for staff.
5. We give continued support and updates on H&S legislation [such as the incoming Martyn’s Law] and supply continued IAG (Information, Advice and Guidance) for all platform users.

In addition, all platform users (companies and individuals) benefit from a search system to find:

• Companies who are looking for staff, or for workers for an event. This could be a one-off event where a venue needs a rep, stewards, or a sound engineer for instance.
• Individuals with a profile select their skillset (and can also upload CV and certs), and can show whether they are available for work, and willing to travel.
• Searches can be selected by – : skillset required : location/post code : company type / venue size : name.

Event organisers can create and event on the platform and ‘invite’ individuals or other organisations (via the Platform) to work on that event. Example: If a promoter is setting up a multi-venue festival in a town, they can do so in the knowledge that if they choose companies or individuals from the Gigsavvy platform, they know the companies are compliant, and that individuals have relevant H&S training in relation to their role, along with specific skillsets.

We are a Training Organisation. Could we get multiple training credits for our learners?

Yes, if you partner with us, we can issue you with ongoing multiple e-learning credits which the learners can complete at their own pace, on any digital device, and claim a digital Gigsavvy certificate for working in the creative and night-time industries. This will then allow your learners to open a personal profile on the Gigsavvy Platform, select their skillsets and upload a CV/work history, and any relevant certificates. Learners will be able to search for work and contact businesses on the platform who are advertising for staff. Additionally, Gigsavvy can provide metrics and statistics for your Training Organisation to help track learner progress, which is invaluable for those on Bootcamps and other funded training courses. Contact us to discuss what we can offer you.

How much does it cost to become a partner?

Please complete a Contact form to discuss specific needs.

Can I get discount on IOSH courses?

Partners get discounted prices on multiple bookings, as do larger (or groups of) organisations.

I am new to the creative industry, what training should I complete?

For general labour or work such as stewarding, volunteering, bar work, we recommend completing all of the e-learning Gigsavvy modules as a minimum. This will give you a basic grounding in health and safety in our industry, and allow you to open a personal profile on the Gigsavvy Platform choosing your specific Skillsets. You can then upload your CV and any other relevant info and certificates to help prove your competence. You will be able to search for work and contact businesses on the platform who are advertising jobs, or for event staff with specific skillsets. Organisations can also search for people by skillset, which will show your personal profile in their search.

Is Gigsavvy an employment agency?

Definitely not. Our terms and conditions state that Gigsavvy is not acting as an agent and does not take any money or commission from agreements between companies and/or individuals. Those details are dealt with privately between those who connect. The Directory aspect of the Platform works merely as a communication and verification system to connect reliable and competent businesses and individuals.

I am a tour operator and a promoter, how does the Gigsavvy Platform benefit my organisation?

You will benefit by proving compliance in health and safety. Also, by having access to a digital Health, Safety & Security Management System (HSSMS) and by being able to contact other compliant businesses or venues on the platform in the knowledge they have IOSH trained personnel (Nominees) who oversee their profile and ensure relevant H&S documentation is completed and up to date. This gives you piece of mind when organising events where your artists (and the public) could be at risk. Additionally, you can search for, and contact competent personnel by location, skillset and availability for work, and invite them to work for you, or at your event.

We are a large organisation with many employees working over multiple sites. How can the Gigsavvy Platform benefit our organisation and employees?

For major players in the industry, we aim to create partnerships where there is undoubted and unmatched value for money, with free ongoing e-learning courses for your workers, and offering a service to supply metrics on the performance of those workers and the sites they work at. We see the value of working with successful organisations who value safety in the industry. Our platform facilitates 4 clear aspects of what creates a Positive Safety Culture; Competence / Communication / Control of work / Cooperation. If we can work with you to promote a Positive Safety Culture then we see this as prime advocacy; therefore we will give the best possible deals in order to create meaningful partnerships. Contact us to discuss your specific needs.

We are an industry body. How can the Gigsavvy Platform benefit our subscribers or patrons?

At Gigsavvy we recognise that industry bodies can have great influence over many companies and individuals. We aim to support standardised and shared values across the industry. Our platform facilitates 4 clear aspects of what creates a Positive Safety Culture; Competence / Communication / Control of work / Cooperation. If we can work with you to promote an industry-wide Positive Safety Culture then we see this as prime advocacy, therefore we will give the best possible deals in order to create meaningful partnerships. Contact us via the Enquiry Form to discuss your specific needs.

I’m an artist/in a band. Why should I be interested in the Gigsavvy Platform?

Let us not forget, artists/bands or performers are actually workers, therefore they have responsibilities for their actions and for the equipment they bring on site. Being on the platform proves you have training, and value health, safety and security at events. Plus it is another way to collaborate with promoters/venues who can include you in the event info and digitised Advance documentation. You can open a personal profile if you prefer, and add your artist/band name if you wish.

Can my organisation benefit from reduced insurance premiums by being on the Gigsavvy Platform?

We recommend you approach your insurance company and ask that question. It is often the case that insurers  can reduce premiums for those proving they utilise an active Health & Safety Management System. We are currently looking to create partnerships with insurers who see the value of the Gigsavvy Platform, and who may consider reduced premiums for Gigsavvy users.

I am self-employed. Do I need a personal or a business profile?

You may well need both. Please complete a Contact form and we will respond with info, and we can also let you know if there are any discounts or offers available.

If I spend money on a course for myself (either IOSH or e-learning), can it help me find work?

The more organisations that come onto the platform the more chance you have of finding work. Remember! If you are on the platform, you may appeal more to employers who use Gigsavvy than someone who isn’t, as you can prove a level of industry-specific competence in health, safety and security as well as your other skillsets (which employers can search for!). Plus, employers can show on the platform that they are looking for workers, and only trained people logged into their Gigsavvy profile can search for, and see that information.

Can I spread the cost of courses?

We may have offers in place which facililites this. Why not fill in a Contact form and ask the question.

How long does a training certificate last?

• For accredited IOSH Managing Safely and IOSH Working Safely courses; We recommend a refresher every 3 year as per the standard recommendation by IOSH.
• You can get up to 3 years access to the Gigsavvy Platform from successful completion of an IOSH course, see the IOSH page for details.
• For Gigsavvy e-learning you will get access to the Gigsavvy Platform for 12 months from successful completion of all course modules.

We are a Grassroots Music Venue. Could a number of venues or companies organise joint training, to enable discounts for multiple trainees?

Absolutely! We recognise that Grassroots Music Venues are the lifeblood of the live music scene in the UK, and we want to do all we can to help. We will work with groups of venues and organisations to enable discounts wherever we can. Why not get a group from your area to work together on this, and set the standard for your town, city, or county.

OK – so tell me some things that Gigsavvy Platform the does NOT do:

Gigsavvy e-learning does not replace the need for specific training for dangerous activities such as:

• Equipment or machinery operation
• Manual Handling
• Working on electrical or pressurised systems
• First Aid or Emergency Response
• Dangerous activities such as work at height, confined space work or working with dangerous substances.

NOTE: Gigsavvy can supply some of the above specific training. Contact us for details.

The Gigsavvy Platform does not replace the need for:

• Workplace inductions
• Emergency drills and exercises
• Specific training (as mentioned above)
• Additional policies or compliance to employment law
• Due diligence which should be carried out by employers and organisations regarding skillsets other than the training delivered by Gigsavvy Ltd.

Please note the above lists are not exhaustive and companies are advised to Contact us – or contact their health and safety department or consultant for more information.

How do I gain access to the Gigsavvy Platform?

• BUSINESS ACCESS: To gain access to the Gigsavvy Platform as a Business/Organisation/Trade Body: As a minimum, you need an employee in a managerial or supervisory capacity (can be the business owner) to complete IOSH Managing Safely via Gigsavvy, which includes familiarisation training on use of the Gigsavvy Platform. Contact us to discuss your specific needs, we are flexible and approachable.
• INDIVIDUAL ACCESS: General workers and volunteers who complete the industry-specific e-learning modules (which give a grounding in health, safety and security in the industry) can open a personal profile which will last for 12 months.
• Or by completing an IOSH Accredited course with Gigsavvy Platform familiarisation. *NOTE – IOSH accredited training gives longer access to the platform. Contact us for details.

I have other questions which are not answered here;

Please use our Contact form to discuss any other specific needs or questions. We will do our best to help.