The Union Learning Fund project with the Fire Brigades Union has been working, in partnership with the Fire Service, to deliver apprenticeships to firefighters across the country, including this cohort from Cambridgeshire.

At the close of 2017, 14 Firefighters in Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue Service successfully completed the apprenticeship in Fitness & Personal Training delivered by the FBU Learning Centre.

This was an 18-month programme which led to a Level 3 qualification in Personal Training, Level 3 Employment Rights and Responsibilities, Level 3 NVQ, Level 2 Mathematics & L2 English.

The apprentices since have used their expertise to assist fellow Firefighters meet the rigours of modern day Firefighting on a regular basis.

Regional Education & Learning Officer (RELO) Martin Harding.  “I completed the course myself and while I found it a long and challenging course of learning it was completely worthwhile. All who completed the apprenticeship now use the knowledge gained to assist our colleagues in many different scenarios, which is very rewarding to us”.

“We have and continue to help Firefighters regain fitness following injury, help them to improve or maintain fitness and offer exercise and dietary plans for weight loss and healthy wellbeing. The agreement between the Fire Service and the FBU Learning Centre to run the apprenticeship has been and of great benefit to both Cambridgeshire FRS as an organisation and also its employees”.