Thursday 29
November
09.00hrs
Over the last six months firefighters working on the retained
duty system at Keynsham Fire Station have been improving their
Maths, English and IT skills.
The eight-strong group have had to work around shouts, changing
shift patterns and family life in a bid to gain Skills for Life
(SfL) qualifications.
Their three months of weekly sessions at Keynsham Fire Station
have now paid off with all achieving Level 2 passes in the
subjects. And the group have given their IT skills a boost as a
result of the online training and additional opportunities to
follow tailored computing courses.
Almost £65,000 was awarded to Firing Up – Learning for Retained
Firefighters, a project set up to promote lifelong learning
opportunities across Avon and Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue
Services.
Initiated by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), the project, which
includes representatives from both Avon and Gloucestershire,
successfully bid for funding from Learning Works for All (LWfA), a
partnership managed by South West TUC.
The project will be rolled out to around six retained fire
stations within the AF&RS area by the time the pilot ends in
2008.
Trudi Cox, the Learning Project Worker for ‘Firing Up’, is
delighted with the results of the Keynsham pilot.
She said: “For those who got an O Level all those years ago it
is a chance to update their qualifications in Maths and English, or
gain a national qualification if they have missed out on getting
that all important certificate at school. Some have simply
enjoyed having a go.
“The courses have certainly helped them gain confidence – and it
serves as a reminder about what they can do.”
This sentiment is shared by Keynsham firefighter Rob Williams,
who was keen to see the courses brought to his station.
Rob said: “I left school without any qualifications – and wasn’t
even entered for the Maths exam, so when it was announced that
these courses would be taking place at my station I jumped at the
opportunity.
“I have taken other courses in the past and those, like the one
I have just completed with AF&RS, have helped build my
confidence. For me, studying now is completely different from when
I was at school and I find that I understand things in a different
way. And in fact I’ve found that the level I have been working at
is better than I thought!
“The problem is that what you are told at school tends to follow
you through into later life and it can seriously knock your
confidence. Fortunately this course has helped me learn a bit
about myself and my capabilities.
“Sometimes it can be hard for people to admit if they have a
weakness in certain areas. If you’re great at Maths and English
then that’s fine, but if you’re not then this is a chance to
improve your skills. I know that this training is beneficial to me
and the people I work with. For me this has been a good opportunity
– and I welcome it with open arms.”