Last year we launched a brand-new apprenticeship programme which sees individuals work across our Corporate Services directorate. The two-year scheme is designed to provide experience working in different departments, supporting with the all-round development of the apprentices.
Alongside their time with HIWFRS they are required to complete a college course to support their learning on placement.
Katy Pittman, Business Support Manager said:
“In the short time since we launched the apprenticeship programme back in September we have already seen our two apprentices add great value to the teams they have joined, and deliver real impactful work for our organisation.
“We are proud to be able to offer this scheme which allows us to support and develop individuals looking to experience a Corporate Services role whilst working towards a qualification.
“It is great to see the progress Ellen and James have already made with us and I’m sure they will continue to grow and thrive in the coming months as they experience different areas of our directorate.”
We caught up with our two apprentices for National Apprenticeship Week (10-16 February) to find out what they have been up to so far in their time with HIWFRS, and to highlight the programme.
James Herbert, Junior Management Consultant Apprentice, finished his A-Levels in the summer and started his first job with HIWFRS in September, initially working within the Business Support team. He said:
“It’s been a really enjoyable experience, but specifically meeting everyone I’m working with, my managers and colleagues.
“I’ve had to speak in meetings, which was something completely new to me. I’ve had to give quite a few presentations and put out of my comfort zone. It’s a good experience for me, I’ve really enjoyed it so far.
“I’m looking forward to getting hands on in all the different departments, rotating around every few months, getting some new experiences and just attempting everything that I can and really developing myself professionally and personally.”
The apprenticeship is designed so that apprentices spend five months working with one team before rotating to another area of the Corporate Services directorate to experience another aspect of the organisation.
Ellen Hawksworth, Corporate Services Apprentice said:
“I saw the opportunity come up and it’s quite rare to be able to have a chance to go into each individual department, experience what each one does, before finding a role that you like. It’s quite exciting being able to earn a qualification alongside as well, that is again, quite a rare opportunity.
“Being an apprentice and in a brand-new role, it can be a bit daunting at times, but being around friendly faces and smiling people, it makes it a lot easier.
“I get to do things I’ve never done before, learning new transferable skills. When you are going from department to department, a skill that you learn in Operational Assets you can put through to Property and Facilities or Business Support, so it’s very valuable.
“I am currently in Property and Facilities so my to day-to-day involves site visits and working on the Station Investment Programme, helping with the planning of building new stations and maintaining the current ones.”
The apprentices will spend time finding out about the different departments within the wider Corporate Services team at HIWFRS.
Their time in our Operational Assets department will see them working with the fire engines, equipment and kit to ensure it’s ready for frontline crews.
Working within the IT department, they will experience life on the help desk as well as all the communications and technology systems that allow our crews to respond to incidents and record information through Control.
During their time with our Corporate Governance and Support team our apprentices will learn about the work we do with our councillors, partners and other stakeholders to ensure the Service is managed and run appropriately They will also attend meetings and support with projects.
Our Property and Facilities team will take our apprentices to see how we manage the development and maintenance of HIWFRS stations and buildings.
They will also get to spend time with our Performance team where they will learn how much data is collated and analysis conducted to ensure the organisation is best prepared to meet the needs of its communities.