The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and its national learning centre have secured funding to organise adult apprenticeships in personal training for firefighters in England. The apprenticeship will enable firefighters to become qualified fitness advisers, to maintain a healthy lifestyle and stay fitter for longer. Formal expressions of interest in the apprenticeship scheme will likely begin in May. Be sure to check the FBU website over the coming weeks to see when you can apply.
The A Level equivalent course, in collaboration with Leeds City College and the Local Government Association (LGA), has already attracted interest from 30 out of 46 fire and rescue services in England. Course tutors for this qualification have been carefully selected and are all qualified trainers, some of whom are former rugby league players with lots of experience of fitness training.
Mark Dunne, FBU union learning fund project manager, said: “We were inspired when we began a level 2 personal course previously. Despite having just six weeks to recruit learners because of a funding deadline, we managed to attract 270 applicants.
“We were pleasantly surprised to see that demand was so high. When we learned that the FBU was heavily involved in creating a best practice guidance document on firefighter fitness, it was obvious that this was the right time to apply for funding for a level 3 course.
“We are delighted that it has attracted interest from two-thirds of fire and rescue services employers, and very pleased to be in a position to offer this apprenticeship at no cost to firefighters or the union.”
The FBU education team have put together a frequently asked questions document for members who are interested in learning more about the programme.
Local employers are supporting this learning initiative by providing classrooms, access to a quality gym and support for those wishing to achieve the qualification.
The first seven months of the course will be classroom based, with the remaining months spent on practical assessments and observations delivered in gyms. Firefighters wishing to apply must do so before 31 July 2016.
Sean Starbuck, FBU national officer, said: “This is a really great opportunity for us to assist firefighters to be as healthy as they can be, both at work and at home. Firefighters take fitness very seriously and this professionally delivered course will be a great qualification for them.
“The course contains some rehabilitation work to help injured firefighters to recuperate, with specific programmes designed to help each injured individual who needs to get back to work. It’s a no-brainer in terms of what it offers and who it benefits.”
The FBU is the only trade union in the UK to have its own accredited learning centre, which is delivering the personal training apprenticeships.
