Hosted at Redbridge Fire Station from 15-19 August, the week-long course included a mix of hands-on workshops designed to teach the young people more about the type of job roles available in the emergency services.
Throughout the week, the group got to wear fire kit and learn real firefighting drills from operational firefighters. They also received visits from fire service partners including Hampshire Constabulary’s Neighbourhood team and South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS). The hope is that this bite-sized taster course will encourage more young people to consider a career in the emergency services.
Eight young people completed the course on which they also achieved a recognised first-aid qualification. Regular interactive group sessions helped the young people to boost their confidence and communication skills as well as to build teamwork skills.
On Friday afternoon a Pass-Out Parade was attended by family and friends to celebrate the achievements of the young people who took part. The group gave an impressive fire drill demonstration to showcase some of the skills they’ve learnt on the course. They were then presented with certificates by the Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Jacqui Rayment.
HIWFRS Prince’s Trust Manager Jo Gregory said:
“The Get Started programme gives young people a chance to find out more about how rewarding a career in the emergency services can be. It also gives a glimpse into how our Prince’s Trust Team Programme runs.
“Many of the young people who take part go on to either sign-up for our full 12-week programme, or they explore further training with other emergency services.
“We’re proud of how quickly this team has come together to support one another and, although we wish to see many of them return, we hope that whatever they have taken from the taster course helps them to achieve their future goals.”
Reece Edwards, 25, from Portsmouth said:
“Before taking part in the course, I’d had over 100 rejections from all sorts of jobs and all I want to do is earn money to support my family. This week has given me a good insight into the emergency services and helped open doors which I hope may progress into a new career.
“I’ve really enjoyed the practical side of the course such as the fire drills training and getting our first-aid certificate.
“It’s my dream to become a firefighter and I’d like to join Southsea Fire Cadets as a Volunteer Cadet Instructor to develop my skills and help others.”
Udita Shukla, 21, from Southampton said:
“One of my highlights has been being able to just be myself and engage with other young people. The course has brought out my communication and teamwork skills and it has been nice to have a group where we all get along and nobody is left out.
“In the future, I would love to be a paramedic on blue lights. I definitely want to sign up to the full 12-week Prince’s Trust Team Programme, as it sounds like a great start to help you fulfil your dreams and start building up confidence, communication and people skills.
“I would definitely recommend the Get Started course to school or college leavers, or young people unsure of what they want to do next, as it has been a great way to meet new people and connect.”
Toby Barrett,17, from Southampton said:
“For me one of the highlights has been gaining my first-aid certificate as it’s good to know I could help someone if I needed to.
“I wanted to join the Get Started course to get a better understanding of the services and now I hope to take part in the full Prince’s Trust Team Programme. My dream job is to become an aerial dispatcher, delivering supplies from a helicopter and I’m hoping the 12-week course will help me to gain the skills I need to apply for the army.”