Fire fighting youth unemployment in Staffordshire

With youth unemployment at an all time high it is easy to see why apprenticeships are seen as a high priority for the Government. However even though the public sector account for some 20 per cent of the national workforce, they employ less than 10 per cent of all apprentices.

In an attempt to re-address this balance, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has embraced apprenticeships and is already reaping the benefits.

The Service’s apprenticeship programme currently employs six firefighter apprentices, five business administration apprentices, one motor vehicle apprentice, one catering apprentice and a finance apprentice. Each of these areas have a framework or curriculum, which needs to be achieved to be successful in the apprenticeship.

The programmes vary in length but are typically 2-3 years duration and allow the apprentice to gain specialist vocational and academic qualifications relevant to the area of work.

Apprentice Firefighter Duncan McHugh, aged 20, joined the programme in March 2010. In addition to the full firefighter training, he has also completed the following qualifications; a BTEC level 3 certificate, Level 3 NVQ Emergency Fire Operations, Key Skills in Communication level 2 and Application of Number level 2 and a level 3 NVQ.

Before being placed at Stafford Fire Station as an apprentice firefighter, Duncan McHugh undertook eight weeks of training - three weeks of core firefighting skills, such as the safe and correct use of ladders pumps and hose, followed by specialist modules involving hazardous materials, safety and extrication of casualties at road traffic collisions, the use of breathing apparatus and ‘First Person on Scene’ trauma care training - run by a key partner at emergencies - the West Midlands Ambulance Service.

Apprentice Firefighter, Duncan McHugh said: “This is the greatest opportunity anyone who is interested in becoming a firefighter could be given. I am hoping that by the end of my apprenticeship I will be successful in securing a position to remain in Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service. I would highly recommend the programme to anyone or any other organisation; it is a great way to give individuals the opportunity to become a firefighter. Although apprentices receive a lesser amount of pay, the scheme is worth its weight in gold as it gives me the experience and enjoyment of a job I have aspired to do for a long time.”

Business Administration Apprentice, James Russell joined the programme in July 2010 after he had completed his A Levels. He said: “Although I wanted to carry on learning I didn’t want to go to university, so an apprenticeship programme was the perfect option.

“I’ve gained some great work experience as well as an NVQ, whilst earning at the same time. I recently applied for a position as an Administrative Assistant elsewhere in the Service. 90 people applied for the post and I was successful, proof that the apprenticeship has set me in good stead for the future by exposing me to a wide range of opportunities to learn.”

Training Manager for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Tim Wareham said: “Apprenticeships are considered to be a proven way of dealing with both current and future workforce issues. They have enabled our Service to attract high-quality trainees and improve the skills and productivity of our existing employees. We have also been able to reduced agency spend which has been crucial in the current economic climate.”

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s apprenticeship programme is run in conjunction with Stoke-on-Trent College.

Stoke on Trent College act as the Service’s Apprenticeship Training Agency (ATA). They support employers who wish to take on an apprentice but are unable to do so in the current economic climate. The distinctive feature of the ATA approach is that it is the ATA who acts as the apprentice employer and who places them with a host employer, in this case Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service. The Service pays Stoke-on-Trent College a fee for the apprentices’ services; this fee being based on the wage agreed with the host and the ATA management fee. The Apprenticeship Training Agency approach has been around for many numbers of years but has been remodeled to contribute to the success of apprenticeships by giving access for a greater number of employers and young people.

Stoke-on-Trent College have been able to provide the cohesive bond between all parties, providing recruitment, training and funding support generated from national funds, not only for the apprenticeship programmes but for other funding streams. To date, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has been able to benefit from over £34,000 of fully funded training as a direct result of this partnership, allowing the Service to benefit from a flexible and dedicated method of delivery and support.

The Fire and Rescue Service has been provided with a single point of contact and its own Trainer Assessor, who provides administrative assistance and technical support that ensures a cost effective way of introducing young people into the organisation.

Trainer Assessor, Joyce Underwood commented: “It’s a real incentive to work in an organisation that recognises the need for training. That’s why the College’s mission to provide ‘excellence in education and skills for work and life’ rings true here too.”

Joyce’s role as a Trainer Assessor has also allowed her to identify and support other areas of training. Examples of these areas include; IT for administrative and operational staff, management NVQ and minute taking courses for administrative staff, portable appliance testing and electrical installation testing courses for site technicians and food hygiene courses for catering staff.

Josie Probyn, Assistant Director for Apprenticeships at Stoke-on-Trent College, said the apprenticeship agreement with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service had attracted a lot of interest. “Over 50 applicants expressed an interest in the apprenticeship programme when it was advertised last year. Since then we’ve had four times the amount enquiring” she said.

“The partnership between Stoke-on-Trent College and Staffordshire Fire Service has been instrumental in providing new and exciting opportunities for young people.

“Both partners are working together to ensure that students receive the best possible Education and Training experience. We are confident that the programme will be highly successful and will lead to further progression opportunities in the public service sector.”

Training Manager for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Tim Wareham said: “We’re really recognising the benefits apprentices bring to the table - the work that they do is valued by all stakeholders and we’ve been able to unlock some fantastic young talent from within the local community. These young people are our future workforce, so it’s important to engage them and develop their skills at the earliest opportunity, which is exactly what this apprenticeship programme has been designed to do.”

Heather Challinor, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service