Ministers have approved a new apprenticeship scheme for fire engineers but without an end-point assessment body in place, universities won’t be able to offer it in the autumn.
This new qualification route for fire engineers comes at a time when demand for this expertise is on the rise. Planning Gateway 1 requires a Fire Statement to be produced. When this first stage of the ‘golden thread’ for buildings comes into force on 1 August, fire engineers will be needed to help complete the template provided by the Housing Ministry.
Fire-related apprenticeships
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education is responsible for the apprenticeship standards. It confirmed on 1 July that the 60-month, degree level apprenticeship would go ahead. It is one of a collection of fire-related apprenticeships that includes fire safety inspecting officers and business fire safety advisers.
According to the Institute, the Fire Safety Engineer apprenticeship provides specialist, fire-related information across the built environment to protect people and property from the destructive effects of fire by applying science and engineering principles. Many fire-sector organizations including the FPA have been involved in the creation of the apprenticeship standard.
Fire safety advisers
The Education and Skills Funding Agency needs to give the green light on this arrangement
Employers wanting staff to undertake the apprenticeship can draw down a maximum of £27,000 funding for each place. The National Fire Chiefs Council said that it will be offered by Birmingham City University and the University of Central Lancashire from autumn 2021.
Each apprenticeship requires an end-point assessment organization and according to the National Fire Chiefs Council they are close to confirming that they will take this on as part of their existing partnership with Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service.
The Education and Skills Funding Agency needs to give the green light on this arrangement and once the ‘in principle’ commitment has been approved by the Agency, the apprenticeship will be allowed to go ahead later this year.
Involving substantial program
An apprenticeship is a job with training to industry standards. It should be about entry to a recognized occupation, involve a substantial program of on and off-the-job training and the apprentice’s occupational competence should be tested by an independent, end-point assessment.
Apprenticeships are employer-led: employers set the standards, create the demand for apprentices to meet their skills needs, fund the apprenticeship and are responsible for employing and training the apprentice.