Community Fire Cadets scheme is an exciting youth engagement programme which offers young people the opportunity to work alongside the Brigade to gain a recognised qualification and life skills they can use in the work place.
The scheme benefits young people who are having difficulty at school, have been excluded socially or educationally, are at risk of anti-social behaviour and those with little or no direction in life. It is designed to provide young people with positive opportunities to improve community cohesion and reduce undesirable behaviour by enhancing key citizenship skills.
The course, which is designed for 14-18 year-olds, lasts 12 months and takes place one evening a week during term time with some day time and weekend sessions during the school holidays. The young people who attend follow a modular course linked to the Edexcel Level 2 BTEC in Fire and Rescue Services in the Community.
The BTEC represents three qualifications and depending on the guided learning hours on each course, candidates can earn an award, certificate or diploma. The scheme is run by firefighters, non operational staff from within the Brigade and volunteers from the local community.
Places are by referral only, via agencies, schools or organisations who work with young people and candidates must live or attend school within the borough where the courses are running.
Currently the scheme is running in the boroughs of Bexley and Havering. More courses are planned to start in September 2013 in the boroughs of Haringey, Barking and Dagenham, Waltham Forest and Redbridge with further courses being planned for 2014.
Interested in volunteering for the London Fire Brigade?
The London Fire Brigade is offering the opportunity for people to give something back to the local community by becoming a Volunteer Youth Engagement Trainer for our Community Fire Cadet Scheme.
If you are interested in volunteering please email communityfirecadets@london-fire.gov.uk
