The FBU (Fire Brigades Union) Learning Centre has been working in partnership with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service to launch an apprenticeship scheme using Employer Apprenticeship Levy Funding.

The scheme in question is an advanced (Level 3) Apprenticeship in Personal Training Instruction. This is an 18-month program of learning for existing employees to up-skill and use their newly gained qualification to assist other Firefighters to improve and maintain their fitness and it is envisaged that the initial course of 15 apprentices will be closely followed with a second cohort in Essex soon.

Modern day Firefighters are required to meet the physical demands of their job and work until they are 60, with the employer responsible for putting arrangements in place to help Firefighters maintain their fitness throughout their career, so the scheme benefits all sides.

Despite the FBU Learning Centre previously running this apprenticeship in other Fire & Rescue Services (FRS), this is the first time it has been launched utilising Employer Apprenticeship Levy funding.

Brian Hurst is a Project Support Organiser (PSO) the FBU Union Learning Fund Project and explained more how the union negotiated with the employer to make use of the Levy.

Brian said:

With the assistance of local Fire Brigade Union officials a series of meetings were held with management to discuss launching the initiative within Essex County Fire & Rescue Service (ECFRS).”

“We described the benefits to the Service of having trained Personal Trainers on Fire Stations to assist fellow Firefighters with their fitness and better prepare them for the rigours of modern-day firefighting.”

There are a lot of benefits for the both the employer and the union for utilising the Levy as Brian explained:

As it is compulsory for the employer to pay into the Levy it makes perfect sense for the employer to use this money in their digital account for the benefit of the service and existing staff if they are not currently recruiting new staff. If money paid into the digital account remains unused for 24 months, then it will be lost.”

The FBU Learning Centre has already delivered apprenticeships in 25 other FRSs since 2016 resulting in over 600 Firefighters gaining the qualification utilising funding from the Skills Funding Agency. The introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy brought about a halt to the initiative while employers got their heads around the Levy and how it could be used, not surprisingly there was a certain degree of caution for a time.”

With the introduction of this cohort in Essex the PTI Apprenticeship project has now restarted under levy funding for the first time and the FBU Learning Centre can now draw on previous experience and knowledge to once again deliver this quality qualification.”

Though the Levy has benefits for the union and the employer the main people to benefit from the scheme are the apprentices themselves. Signing up to the PTI apprenticeships gives fire service staff the chance to gain new skills and a qualification which allows them to assist colleagues.

This is a voluntary course and attracts Firefighters who already have hobbies and a high interest in fitness and health. Therefore, they are learning in an area which they already have a passion.

This is apparent from the reaction of firefighter who have signed up for the apprenticeship.

Firefighter Shaun White, Station 52 Basildon, Essex said:

My experience of the apprenticeship run by the FBU has been first class. It's a thoroughly well planned and delivered course, with plenty of opportunity to learn both the practical and theoretical aspects of this demanding yet interesting subject.”

There has been no let-up in the assistance offered and provided by all involved. I am delighted to have been accepted on to this course, would recommend it to others and look forward to continuing the professional and personal relationships it has developed”.

Firefighter Toni Holland. Station 31 Leigh, Essex CFRS agreed and said:

I am delighted to have an opportunity to enter onto this apprenticeship. There is a great emphasis on maintaining fitness in the Fire Service and the fact that fitness, health and exercise is a passion of mine it seemed the perfect course for me.”

The course has only been running for three months now but even in such a short length of time we have already gained a vast amount of knowledge and understanding of the subject. I hope to utilise this qualification in my workplace in the future and help other Firefighters to regain or maintain their fitness levels. I expect with this qualification I will be able to expand my role in the service which will contribute to my continual professional development.”

Clare Smith is Service Fitness Manager at Essex CFRS and is very pleased to working with the union to make use of the Levy and promote the scheme.

Clare said:

As an organisation ECFRS recognise the benefits of having Firefighters trained in fitness training and fitness instruction. Qualified PTIs can work on station and are in an ideal position to assist the fitness team to promote, improve and maintain adequate level of fitness amongst our people.”

We recognise the previous experience the FBU Learning Centre have in effectively delivering this qualification. As a Service we are happy and willing to work in partnership with the FBU to provide the PTI Apprenticeship to our staff.”

Fire and Rescue Services have a responsibility to support Firefighters maintain their fitness and well as returning to full fitness following injury or illness, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, weight control and avoiding injury through correct procedure and practices.

Brian commented that:

Most FRSs do have a small fitness team but the task they are faced with is massive. Firefighters gaining this qualification who already work day to day on Fire Stations can make a big impact and assist the Fitness Team and reduce their workload as a result.

Brian feels this is just the start and it is hoped that other regions will come on board over the coming months.  Brian said:

This has been an ongoing initiative from 2016. Though there has been a pause while everyone got to grips with the Levy we are once again seeing other FRSs showing a keen interest, some of whom have actually already run the apprenticeship in their Service previously under the old funding arrangements.”