Operational Fire Fighter Apprenticeship Programe

RBFRS has been utilising Operational Firefighter Apprenticeships as the preferred development route for a few years. The Fire Service College has been identified from the procurement framework as the only viable option to meet our requirements.

There are nine suppliers in the frameworks.

• Capita Group Plc
• Cornwall Fire Rescue and Community Safety Service
• SFJ Awards The Workforce Development Trust Ltd - Operational Firefighter
• Warrington and Vale Royal College
• DN Colleges Group
• E-Training Ltd
• New College Durham
• SFJ Award The Workforce Development Trust Ltd
• Weston College

Initial training can be provided more cost effectively if an apprenticeship model is continued, which would support costs / best use of the training budget of the recruitment of additional staff as required.

In total 12 new starters are joining the programme. 11 apprentices starting in March 2026, and 1 learner starting in March who move to apprentice status in July 2026. Below is the breakdown of cost for 12 apprentices plus an additional adjusted cost for one apprentice who will start the Firefighter Foundation Development Programme course in March 2026 and move on to join the Level 3 Apprenticeship in July 2026.

The Contract Authority carried out a desktop assessment on the criteria set in the YPO framework 1086 documentation within their portal. The sub-criteria below was used to make a more efficient decision when looking at carrying out a direct award approach.