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Fired up for a new start - Case study
After losing hearing in one ear, former fire fighter Garry Harney was facing compulsory retirement from the fire service. At the age of 53 and with no transferable qualifications, his future looked bleak. Read how Garry turned his life around. The early yearsAt 14 I had a part time job as a petrol attendant on a garage forecourt. Not knowing what I wanted to do after school the owner of the garage offered to take me on as an apprentice mechanic. At 14 I thought this was a marvellous idea but in reality it meant that I had to stop school. Naively I told myself that I didn't need school. I had a job now, a good job, I didn't have to put up with boring schoolwork anymore, so I left school at 15 with no qualifications, not unusual in those days. Six months later I decided mechanics wasn't for me. I went on to be an apprentice butcher and after another couple of years an apprentice engineer, there were a lot of apprenticeships around in those days. I didn't like engineering much either, but by that time I had a mortgage and a young family so I stuck with engineering for another 10 years. Fighting fire
I was very keen when I joined the Fire Service and still am. I looked upon it as a new career. I studied hard to pass the exams to gain promotion. I took temporary promotion at every opportunity. After a number of years and various stints of acting up in rank, I missed the excitement of wearing breathing apparatus and entering burning buildings. I missed the excitement of driving fire engines so I decided that promotion wasn't for me. I wanted to do more hands on fire fighting. ShockAbout 18 months ago my life changed forever. Doctors told me that I had permanently lost hearing in my left ear. This had a major impact on my life. Socially, I struggle to hear, making conversation virtually impossible. At work, I was on restricted duties (no fire fighting) and facing compulsory retirement. This came as a huge shock. At the age of 53 I had no transferable skills. Yes, I took the fire service promotion exams and did lots and lots of other courses during my 28 years of employment as a professional fire fighter, but they had no relevance outside the service. After 28 years as a fire fighter, I didn't hold any qualifications except a Large Goods Vehicle license and a First Aid certificate, which was probably out of date. What now?Am I employable? That's the worrying question I asked myself when I first read the Leitch Review. It talks about the number of people in the UK who have basic skills for life needs and the lack of recognised transferable qualifications. This was a wake up call. At the age of 53 I was asking myself with a hearing problem how employable am I? The answer couldn't be grimmer. A brand new start
I have coordinated and helped deliver courses to fire service employees and their families. Courses such as Skills for Life, Polish language, sign language, digital photography and I've also been involved in the delivery of ESOL* courses to migrant workers. In April this year, the FBU North West Region Learning Coordinator job was advertised. I applied for the job and was successful. My success, I think was due to my passionate belief that learning is for all and that there are people that Lord Leitch refers to in his review in all walks of life even the Fire Service, I believe me and my story are proof. Although my new role involves me managing brigade Lifelong Learning Coordinators and ULRs in every fire service in the North West, I still intend to get myself up skilled. I hope to be taking my Skills for Life literacy course shortly as well as all the accredited training the FBU are giving me to do this job. A special thanks to...Ron Evans and Ray Atkinson Communication Workers Union, Andy Brickles , Fire Brigades Union and Ged Bretherton , unionlearn*. These four people supported me and gave me encouragement which spurred me on to get to the position I am now in. Case studies and projects (900 words) issued 21 May 2008  Roger Berry MP visits Alcan Janet Johnson is the TUC's 2008 union learning rep of the year Award-winning Cityclean union learning rep briefs Minister on skills |
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At 25 I became a fire fighter. Qualifications weren't necessary to join the Fire Service, an interview, a short math's exam and a write up on why I wanted to become a fire fighter was enough.
I wasn't going to let any of this stop me. Eight months ago I took the 