Learning and development

Our Learning and Development (L&D) team are responsible for the training of all staff, both operational and non-operational personnel, ensuring that they are all able to ensure that “together we make life safer” and support the delivery of our Safety Plan. We deliver this is in conjunction with our Workforce Development Team, who provide our  leadership and management training through direct provision or commissioning of outside providers.

We work in collaboration with our Prevention and Protection teams to develop their staff and contribute to the Community Safety Strategy. This involves investment in qualifications and development of our staff.

The L&D primary function is to ensure all service personnel are able to perform their roles safely, confidently and effectively in accordance with Service Training Policy and in aligned with identified role maps, National Operational Guidance and Fire Professional Standards. The L&D Team aspires to develop excellence in identified areas which are detailed in our Learning and Development Business Plan.

The L&D Team champion our Service Values and the Academy Charter states the expectations the L&D has of our staff and what our staff should expect of the L&D Team in relation to positive behaviours.

The Learning and development department have access to top class training facilities, equipment and technology. Utilising this leading technology, equipment and facilities we are able to provide a safe, realistic learning environment for all levels of the Service. From incident command to live fire our facilities and equipment enable us to create and maintain an effective workforce.

Apprenticeships offer a fantastic route for career development. We actively encourage and challenge colleagues to seek out apprenticeship pathways which will support and enhance their personal and professional development.

Our staff undertake a variety of apprenticeships including: business administration; customer services, heavy vehicle service & maintenance technician, project management, software developer, IT consultant, software engineer, chartered Surveying and leadership and management.

Apprenticeships within the Service are valued as high-quality pathways to successful careers, providing opportunities for new and existing employees to develop and take their skills to the next level. Here are two examples from our staff who have done exactly that:

Melissa was newly appointed team leader within organisational assurance and saw the Level three Team Leader / Supervisor apprenticeship as a good opportunity to learn new leadership skills.

“The apprenticeship is a nice introduction to a junior leadership role and has introduced me to different concepts, techniques and tools to use with my team. It’s providing me the support to build my confidence in my day-to-day role, which will help me to build my career in a leadership capacity in the future.”

Melissa is already putting her new skills to good use and supporting her team.

“It has made me more self-aware of my own behaviours and the impact it can have on others, so this has made me more mindful of how I interact with the people in my team. This has also helped me feel more at ease in my role.”

Sean has been working in the Fire & Rescue Service for 30 years. Recently he decided to embark on a new learning journey and started a level five Operational Manager apprenticeship.

This was the first time this standard was used within a Fire and Rescue Service and Sean was part of the first Trailblazer programme.

“It’s a superb way to help staff further their career and an excellent way to make the service a future proof organisation.”

Sean has been putting his newly developed skills to good use

“The knowledge I have gained from my apprenticeship has easily fitted into my day-to-day role, helping me to understand the rationale and methods used to make decisions.”

To undertake any apprenticeship, we believe individuals need to be committed and willing to constantly develop and learn during their time with us. In return, the rewards are there for the taking!

WM Angove joined the fire service in Cornwall as a Retained (RDS) firefighter in 2000 and moved to Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service as a wholetime (WDS) firefighter in 2003 where he spent two and a half years in working in the Breathing Apparatus (BA) team on all aspects of BA.

More recently Angove has written and developed the Skills for Justice (SFJ) courses for command and developed the Incident Command (IC) L2 course, for Station Managers that are new to that role. Ensuring that they learn in the best possible environment, in accordance with NOG and in line with SFJ. He is also a live fire, tactical ventilation and ultra high-pressure lance (UHPL) trainer.

James worked as an on-call firefighter at Totton fire station for the last 16 years and has undertaken the role as Crew Manager there for the last eight years.

In his spare time, James is an avid rugby fan and keen mountain biker, which has taken him to various places around the UK and Europe.

I joined Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service in March 1990 as a retained firefighter at Portchester, where I am now Watch Manager.

I joined wholetime in January 1998 and have served at Southsea, Cosham, Fareham, Operational Assets (equipment) and now at WM Academy.

I am an RTC, BA, command and core trainer and I am lead for Flexi-Duty System Module training.

My Dad, Brother and a couple of other family members have served in the Fire Service over many years.

I am married and have two children, my hobbies and interests are Music (play in a band) snowboarding, Lambretta & Vespa scooters, football (Portsmouth FC) most things with an engine and wheels.