GMFRS celebrates National Apprenticeship Week 2022

This week has been National Apprenticeship Week - a time where we can thank and recognise our apprentices for everything they bring to our Service and to Greater Manchester.

The week-long celebrations began on Monday, 7 February and will run until Sunday, 13 February. The theme this year is 'Build the Future' which reflects on how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career, and organisations to develop a talented workforce that is equipped with future-ready skills.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) currently have 337 apprentice firefighters. In a recent report by the Local Government Association, GMFRS as part of Greater Manchester Combined Authority ranked second in public sector organisations across the UK for having the highest percentage of staff being apprentices with 4.4%.

An apprenticeship is for anyone at any age who wants to start, advance or change their career, wherever in their life they may be.

As part of National Apprenticeship Week, we invited some of our firefighters to share their thoughts on joining as an apprentice firefighter.

Firefighter Chris Clark, who recently completed his apprenticeship end-point assessment, said: “The apprenticeship has been quite challenging. It's worth it though, it's very rewarding." 

 

Firefighter Harrison Needham, who just landed on Rochdale Fire Station roughly four weeks ago, said: "The thing that I enjoyed most at the apprenticeship would have to be the practical side where I could get hands on experience with all the equipment."

 

Firefighter Matt Burton, who joined us from the military, said: "The best part of the apprenticeship for me is the different and variety of jobs we've got."

This year's National Apprenticeship Week has also been an opportunity for us to recognise the achievements of our apprentices. Of our most recent cohort of apprentice firefighters, four firefighters received a distinction grade for the apprenticeship.  

Assistant Chief Fire Officers Stuart Forshaw and Carlos Meakin visited the apprentices on their station to present them with their distinction certificates.

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ACFO Meakin presents firefighter Patel with their distinction certificate 

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ACFO Forshaw presents firefighter Matthews with their distinction certificate 

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ACFO Forshaw presents firefighter Lucas with their distinction certificate 

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ACFO Meakin presents firefighter Cole with their distinction certificate 

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Other fire officers have also been presenting our apprentices with their certificates this week.

Area Manager Ben Levy presents firefighter O’Gormley with their certificate

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Watch Manager John Morris presents firefighter Beever-Nuttall with their certificate

Well done to all of our apprentices! 

You can read more about the firefighter apprenticeship on our website here: Level 3 Operational Firefighter Apprenticeship

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11/02/2022 14:03 PM