The Apprenticeship programme
The Firefighter Apprenticeship is an excellent opportunity to gain new knowledge and skills as you work and train towards achieving competency as a Full-time Operational Firefighter.
The apprenticeship programme lasts for 24 months, at the end of which you will have built up a portfolio of evidence from attending real incidents, a comprehensive programme of training, work in the community and placements in departments across the Service.
The Firefighter Apprenticeship is funded by Welsh Government and delivered by Grŵp Llandrillo Menai (GLLM) with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service (NWFRS) providing the training and qualification elements, meaning there is no cost to the apprentice for the training or qualifications.
You will gain a Skills for Justice (SFJ) Awards qualification ‘Level 3 Diploma in Emergency Fire and Rescue Service’ via NWFRS’ Accredited Centre. The Accredited Centre is an SFJ Awards Approved Centre with fully qualified Assessors and Internal Quality Assurers, and subject to strict annual audits to ensure the training and qualification delivery is of the highest standard.
If you do not have GCSE grade C or above in English (or Welsh first language), Maths and ICT – or equivalent, you will also gain an Essential Skills qualification in these, fully supported by trainers at GLLM.
Your apprenticeship journey
Initial firefighter training involves a highly intensive, 16 week course with a residential week at Dolgellau.
This phase is designed to build the foundational, life-saving technical skills required before a new firefighter is deployed to a station and starts working as part of the crew.
The curriculum is designed to be challenging and comprehensive, combining classroom learning, practical training and realistic scenario-based exercises across several core areas:
1. Foundation Firefighting & Core Equipment
Hose and Pump Management: Learning how to rapidly deploy various water hoses, connect to hydrants, and operate the high-pressure water pumps built into fire appliances.
Ladders and High-Level Work: Mastering standard drills, words of command, and the physical mechanics of safely pitching and climbing service ladders.
Knots, Lines, and Safe Working at Height: Securing equipment and executing safe high-level or rope-assisted rescues.
2. Breathing Apparatus (BA) & Fire Behaviour
Hazardous Environments: Extensive training on how to wear, maintain, and navigate in full Breathing Apparatus (BA) gear.
Heat and Smoke Progression: Learning to move through zero-visibility, confined, and high-heat environments to conduct casualty searches.
Fire Science & Tactical Ventilation: Studying fire chemistry, recognising flashovers, and practicing ventilation techniques to clear toxic gases from burning structures.
3. Road Traffic Collisions (RTC) & Extrication
Vehicle Stabilisation: Learning how to secure unstable, crashed vehicles safely on public roads.
Glass and Hazard Management: Dealing with supplementary restraint systems (airbags) and managing shattered materials.
Heavy Cutting Tools: Handling powerful hydraulic cutters and spreaders to cut away twisted metal and safely extricate trapped casualties.
4. Immediate Medical Care (IEC) & Specialty Rescue
Casualty Care: Advanced first aid and trauma training under clinical governance (often coordinated with the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust), focusing on resuscitation, severe burns, and immobilisation.
HAZMAT: Identifying and handling dangerous chemical spills or radiation hazards safely.
Water First Responder: Essential safety training for operating in, on, or around swift-water and flood environments
5. Prevention & Community Safety
Trainees are taught how to perform safe and well checks, give community fire safety lectures, report Safeguarding concerns, and work proactively within communities to prevent emergency incidents from happening in the first place.
You will receive theoretical input and start producing assignments for the SFJ Awards qualification.
You will visit the Control room and Headquarters and be introduced to various departments across the Service. The initial training will culminate in a celebration of achievement event scheduled to mark the successful completion of the course.
Next Steps: Transitioning to the Station
Once you pass this initial 16 week phase, you are assigned to a watch at a fire station, where you will spend the remaining 21 months building your portfolio on the job to complete your Level 3 Diploma in Emergency Fire and Rescue Service qualification.