Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has just celebrated the achievements of its latest cohort of apprentice firefighters – four of them sponsored by Network Plus.
As one of the region’s leading employers, many of our colleagues – and their families and friends – at times depend on the emergency services.
Funding from Network Plus enabled Zak Ahmed, Grace Allen, Joshua Blackman and Tom Booth to take their places alongside 20 other trainees at a pass out parade at GMFRS’s state-of-the-art training centre in Bury. Family and friends joined the celebrations as the new firefighters took part in practical demonstrations showcasing new skills they learned over an intense 18-week course.
There were also individual awards for Joshua, from Marple, who was presented with the Academic award and Zak, from Bolton, who was presented with the Fitness award.
There were also individual awards for Joshua, from Marple, who was presented with the Academic award and Zak, from Bolton, who was presented with the Fitness award.
Above: Grace is pictured alongside fellow apprentice Tom Booth
Above: Apprentice Grace Allen takes part in a firefighting demonstration.
Network Plus Director of HR, Dave Bond, says:
Congratulations Zak, Grace, Joshua and Tom – you can be very proud of your achievements. On behalf of everybody at Network Plus I wish you long, safe and successful careers.
We make a significant investment in apprenticeships at Network Plus, where our apprentice programme has expanded as our business has grown.
And we also recognise our duty, as a leading employer in the region, to consider our wider operating environment. I’m delighted that we have been able to support GM Fire and Rescue’s own apprenticeship programme.”
Zak, Grace, Joshua and Tom are now embarking on the next phase of their two-year apprenticeships at community fire stations across the region, where they will gain the essential knowledge, skills and behaviours that will enable them to become fully qualified firefighters with nationally recognised qualifications.
