Two very common training needs for FRSs are firefighter foundation training and Leadership and Development. Most FRSs currently pay for this training out of their training budgets however, but with revised eligibility rules and funding frameworks for apprenticeships the game has changed.
Apprenticeships are now a viable way to attract, retain and develop talent across your entire organisation and you can make use of your apprentice levy to do so.
The Fire Service College, in partnership with Knowledgepool - one of the UK's leading training and apprenticeship providers, is now offering apprenticeship programmes to help you make the most of this opportunity.
The financial savings available through a well-managed apprenticeships scheme are easy to quantify, but why else should you welcome apprenticeships and embrace them into your training cycle?
Ted O'Brien - The Fire Service College
Director of Product and Quality
Paul Hudson - Knowledgepool
Apprenticeship Director
The Operational Firefighter Level 3 Apprenticeship is a two year programme directly linked to the Operational Firefighter Apprentice Standard technical knowledge, skills and behaviours. It also includes the internationally recognised Firefighter Foundation Development Programme (FFDP) from the Fire Service College (FSC).
Develop the skills of your workforce
Gain evidence of learning and competence
Influence culture change through mixed cohorts
Demonstrate investment in staff development
Talent Coach support and mentoring, using the expertise built up by Knowledge pool who are market leaders in this field
Save money by using the levy instead of your training budget for certain training needs
Developing talent is key in ensuring that you continue to effectively serve your community, and so having an apprenticeship provider who understands you and the sector is vital. Find out what else to consider in our '7 things to consider when choosing an apprenticeship provider' guide.
During the programme, a sector component talent coach will, working with their line manager, support the progress of your apprentices and help identify evidence of where they have demonstrated the required knowledge, skills and behaviour in the workplace. They will contact your apprentices on a monthly basis and every 12 weeks carryout a review with your apprentices and their line manager. Apprentices will have access to our apprenticeship platform, which will support their learning journey and provide all resources needed to take them through to completion.
At the end of the programme, apprentices will be assessed against the industry set criteria for Operational Firefighter Level 3. The EPA is carried out by an assessor from an independently registered organisation
The programme consists of four elements, all of which ensure your apprentices gain a full understanding of the knowledge, skills and behavioural components of the Standard. These are:
Our programmes are delivered through the FSC and Knowledgepool, both part of the Capita People Solutions business.
The Fire Service College is the home of firefighter development, with one of the world’s largest operational fire and rescue training facilities. With over 40 years’ experience within the national and international fire response industry we can ensure that learners can be safely trained to national and international standards.
Knowledgepool have been delivering apprenticeships for eleven years and run some of the country’s largest and best-known schemes. Knowledgepools focus is on delivering the best learner experience and their apprenticeship platform is based on a market-leading Learning Management System (LMS) tessello™, which allows social media integration, peer sharing, remote instructor intervention, anytime-anywhere access and many other features that are intuitive and instinctive to the modern learner.
delivering fire and rescue training
currently on Knowledgepool programmes
delivered by Knowledgepool
Being able to use of the best training facilities in the country has been an amazing experience and I can happily say I’ve taken the opportunity with both hands and thrown everything at it. I’ve improved and learnt new and valuable life skills that will assist me with my career going forward.
- Bradley Lawrence, Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue ServiceThe scheme will cost £17,900 to deliver, including EPA costs. The maximum amount of levy that can be drawn down for each learner is £14,000, leaving a balance of £3,900 that FRS will be required to pay as a top-up fee. The top-up fee does not specifically represent a specific cost incurred in delivery of the scheme, but simply represents the funding gap between the levy amount and the cost to deliver the overall scheme.
Remember, if you haven’t used your levy fund the monthly payments you have paid will be removed each month 24 months after they entered your account, so use it or lose it!
Cost of apprenticeship
Less your levy draw down
Balance to pay
To speak to a member of the team call 01608 812984 or fill out the form below: