This National Apprenticeship Week, we’re marking an important milestone to us at BFRS: ten years since our very first cohort of firefighter apprentices walked through our doors.
Back in 2016, those new recruits arrived with determination, fresh uniforms, and the ambition to serve their communities. Today, a decade later, they stand as experienced, competent, and highly skilled firefighters. Many mentoring new apprentices, leading their own teams and continuing to develop the skills their apprenticeships equipped them with.
To honour their journey, we’re sharing their first day headshots alongside reflections from the firefighters themselves. Their words capture not only how far they’ve come, but how the apprenticeship programme has shaped their careers and day to day life.
A Decade of Skills for Life, let’s hear from the Reflections from the First Cohort themselves.
Firefighter Callum
“The advice I’d give to future apprentices would be, immerse yourself, have the right attitude, be prepared to learn from your colleagues, all about being the team player and looking after each other.”
“During my training, I really enjoyed the intensity of the unknown, every day is different, my apprenticeship has led me to continue to develop including USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) skills and animal rescue.”
Firefighter Finden
“As the first cohort of apprentices we were the trailblazers for Bucks fire apprenticeships which has continued to evolve year on year. I am proud of mentoring the apprentices that have joined the service after completing my own apprenticeship.”
Crew Commander Richards
“I applied after being On-Call, as I was hungry to progress into a full-time role and achieve competence. I am proud of being well respected across the service and building connected working relationships.”
Watch Commander Goodman
“Ten years in the fire service, rising from the first apprenticeship intake to a Watch Commander, providing that dedication, discipline, and teamwork turn commitment into leadership.”
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate this 10‑year anniversary, we’re also looking to the future. Our apprenticeship programme continues to evolve, offering new skills, new opportunities, and new ways for people to join the fire and rescue service.
Whether it’s operational response, Information Technology, Fire Safety, or Leadership development, apprenticeships remain a powerful route into careers that truly changes lives. And for our first cohort who “footed the ladder so future apprentices could safely climb it” we couldn’t be prouder of everything they’ve achieved.