The fire industry is set to give young people trying to find work a boost with the support of a new Prince’s Trust Scheme backed by fire minister Bob Neill.
The scheme is also supported by the Fire Industry Association and the Fire and Rescue Suppliers Association.
Bob Neill, MP, said at the launch of the new scheme that it will "help vulnerable young people to get back on track."
He also said: “Fire and Rescue Authority partnerships with The Prince’s Trust, with a focus on work experience, fit very well with the government agenda to tackle youth unemployment and the Youth Contract.
“Work experience can make all the difference in breaking the cycle of unemployment, helping thousands of young people into their first jobs.”
The Fire and Rescue Service have already helped deliver Prince’s Trust courses to more than 15,000 young people in the UK, helping them into work or further training.
Tyco Fire and Security and Argus Fire are among the companies who have stepped forward to be involved.
Chris Hannaford, 22, had never had a job before joining a Prince’s Trust scheme and taking up work experience with Argus Fire.
He said: “Before joining The Prince’s Trust course, I felt as though as I was doing nothing with my life. I had no motivation – my life was at a standstill. I was applying for hundreds of jobs, but found myself being knocked back so many times because I didn’t have any work experience.
"The Team programme, run by The Prince’s Trust and Lancashire Fire and Rescue, changed my life. It helped me to secure work experience with Angus Fire, which was my first real experience of having a job, and it was amazing. Thanks to this support, I’m now doing an IT training course which will help me get a job."
If you are interested in offering work experience placements or helping to run the Prince’s Trust scheme for unemployed young people you can contact the Prince’s Trust Fire & Rescue Service national liaison officer on 07900 268701 or email [email protected].
