FireSkills
FireSkills is delivered with a wide range of partners across Scotland.
About the FireSkills programme
FireSkills is delivered at a local fire station by specially trained Fire and Rescue personnel.
The flexible programme uses adapted Firefighter training activities to support young people develop their core skills. The activities can be adapted to provide a unique learning experience for young people.
These activities include:
- problem solving
- basic first aid and CPR
- team working and team leading
- confidence and communication
- citizenship skills
- an understanding of the contribution that the SFRS and other agencies make to our communities
The programme consists of a range of individual sessions that can be bolted together to provide a course ranging from 2.5 hours to 40 hours.
FireSkills will usually take place during school hours, however, subject to local agreement it can be delivered at weekends or in the evening.
Who the programme is for
FireSkills is delivered with partner agencies. FireSkills is designed for young people aged 12–18, who are currently engaged with those agencies to develop core skills in a practical setting. It is suitable for a wide range of learners and there are no prerequisites.
This programme is delivered exclusively with partner agencies.
Find FireSkills activities near you
If you are an agency working with young people and would like to find out if your local SFRS personnel could deliver a course for you please contact your local community action team. They can also let you know about any other work SFRS are delivering to help develop and support young people in your area.
How we work with partner agencies
We will work closely with partner agencies to identify local needs and select the appropriate sessions and young people
Partner agencies are responsible for their young people throughout the course and will ensure that the appropriate arrangements are in place, such as consent forms, before bringing to them to the programme.
Partner agencies may also be able to deliver sessions in relation to their professional field to address a local issue or particular focus of the course such as violence reduction or employability.
FireSkills Employability Award (FEA)
The FireSkills Employability Award provides formal recognition of the young people’s achievements. In partnership with Ayrshire College, key sessions have been credit levelled on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) to provide 4 credits at level 4
This enables learners to:
- Add an accredited qualification to their portfolio which can support applications for employment or further or higher education.
- Identify transferrable skills and recognise prior learning for further education and employment opportunities
The FEA is designed to suit a wide range of learners. There are no pre-requisites for entry on to the programme. Because of the delivery level this programme would be best suited for those 14 years and over.
Set criteria for the programme must be adhered to. All the learning outcomes must be undertaken and successfully achieved.
Get involved
You can find out more about FireSkills activities in your area by contacting your local community action team.