My name is Alex and I am undergoing an apprenticeship in Operational Firefighting.

Becoming a firefighter is something that I always wanted to do, so I decided to apply, and I did this through the Avon Fire and Rescue Service website.

It wasn’t an easy process, but it was rewarding as you went though and completed each step.

The college were really supportive through the process; I received frequent emails, they provided me with vital information and were very quick at replying to any questions I had. Now on station, I have a line of contact to the college through my assessor.

There is a lot to learn when becoming a firefighter, so having a large educational institute like Weston College involved gave me confidence in the education and training I would receive, and ultimately allow me to be successful in this career.

This apprenticeship has allowed me to gain real world experience and give me insight into what life is like as a firefighter. Something that I have really appreciated is the experience I gain from firefighters on station.

There are challenges too, with the most challenging part being the wide range of techniques and equipment we have to learn in order to be effective in the many types of incidents we attend.

If you’re considering an apprenticeship then I think you should go for it! They are a mix between real world practice, as well as engaging in some theory from lectures and lesson style learning. There is a demand for being physically practical as well as being able to computer-based college work.

Apply to become a Firefighter through an apprenticeship, by clicking here.