Firefighter Apprenticeship 2025

Summary

Firefighters' apprentices at Sellafield tackle a wide range of emergency situations where problem solving and initiative is vital to resolve incidents quickly and calmly. These situations vary from tackling fires, searching, rescuing and protecting people and animals, by sustaining/preserving their life to protecting life and the environment.

Annual wage

£19,207 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Increasing to £21,162 in year 2. Higher rates are applied to those aged 21 and over, year 2 salary £25,472. You’ll have the opportunity to benefit from an annual bonus, linked to company performance, of up to £4000*.

Training course

Operational firefighter (level 3)

Hours

This is a two-year scheme. You will work normal office hours between 07:30-15:40, however at times may be required to work 12-hour shift pattern of 2-day shifts followed by 2-night shifts and 6 rest days.

37 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 8 September

Duration

2 years

Positions available

6

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

Engage with the work community to conduct Fire Risk Information plans for site buildings and all other areas
Work as part of a close-knit team of professionals that provides 24-hour response cover to resolve fire and rescue operational incidents
Use multi agency working principles with partners and other services to achieve a swift and successful conclusion
At Sellafield the Firefighters role also provides the site with ambulance and emergency medical response and various resilience and flood mitigation equipment
You will need to maintain a smart appearance, wear uniform, fire kit and other personal protective equipment, as well as respiratory protective equipment such as self-contained breathing apparatus, necessary for work in hazardous areas and requiring the operators to be clean shaven
In this role you will be quite often working outside in all weather conditions, at heights, in confined spaces and in nuclear facilities with alpha, beta, gamma and neutron radiation

This role provides an exciting opportunity to explore and experience various aspects of the sites and provides great plant-based experience.

Where you’ll work

Sellafield Site / Surrounding offices in West Cumbria

CA20 1PG

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

GENII ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY TRAINING LIMITED

Your training course

Operational firefighter (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

Carry out safe working practices in accordance with legal requirements as detailed within the knowledge section.
Operate safely and effectively in emergency situations.
Operate within an appropriate command and control system.
Operate in hazardous environments using Breathing Apparatus.
Safely resolve incidents involving hazardous materials, such as chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive substances. These will be resolved by stopping further harm and then removal of/clearing up the substance.
Safely work at height.
Safely work in, on or around water e.g. to conduct rescues or extract water for firefighting purposes.
Extricate casualties from situations of entrapment.
Interact with and influence community members and business to reduce risks.
Take responsibility for effective performance within their role.
Support the development of their colleagues in their workplace
Use and maintain specialist equipment
Control and extinguish fires safely and effectively
Communicate effectively, through listening, writing, speaking and presenting information
Carry out safe working practices in accordance with legal requirements as detailed within the knowledge section.
Operate safely and effectively in emergency situations.
Operate within an appropriate command and control system.
Operate in hazardous environments using Breathing Apparatus.
Safely resolve incidents involving hazardous materials, such as chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive substances. These will be resolved by stopping further harm and then removal of/clearing up the substance.
Safely work at height.
Safely work in, on or around water e.g. to conduct rescues or extract water for firefighting purposes.
Extricate casualties from situations of entrapment.
Interact with and influence community members and business to reduce risks.
Take responsibility for effective performance within their role.
Support the development of their colleagues in their workplace
Use and maintain specialist equipment
Control and extinguish fires safely and effectively
Communicate effectively, through listening, writing, speaking and presenting information

Your training plan

Your initial training (acquisition of skills) will provide you with a range of practical basic firefighting and theoretical skills; these will be rigorously tested over an extended period of time to elevate you to a competent level (demonstration of skills).

Once competent in role you will move into maintenance of skills training to ensure that your acquired skills are maintained to the highest of operationally effective standards at all times.

Level 3 Apprentice Certificate ‘Operational Firefighter’ from “Skills for Justice”.
First Aid at Work Certificate.
Immediate Emergency Care Level 3 Certificate.
You training will be delivered at Sellafield Skills Centre
Specialist skills training may be away from work and possibly during rest days

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English Language (grade 4)
Mathematics (grade 4)
Science or Engineering (grade 4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Problem solving skills
Team working
Initiative
Physical fitness

Other requirements

Minimum age of 18 by 8th September 2025 in-line with health and safety requirements of our nuclear site. It is a requirement of the role that you will hold a full clean driving licence (Class B Manual) by September 2025 to enable you to carry out your duties.

About this company

Sellafield Ltd is a global centre for nuclear engineering management. We pioneered the harnessing of nuclear power to generate electricity for the country. Now the world is watching as we set international standards in high-hazard reduction. In short, we’re at the forefront of the industry.

https://careers.sellafieldsite.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Following successful completion of your apprenticeship, we will look to retain you in a professional full-time position at Sellafield Ltd.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SELLAFIELD LIMITED

GBS Recruitment

recruitment@sellafieldcloud.co.uk

019467 81000

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000290877.

Apply now

Closes on Sunday 16 February

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

Company’s application instructions

Due to the physical nature of the Firefighter role, you’ll be required to pass a physical assessment as part of the recruitment process. Part of the physical assessment will require you to achieve level 8.8 (VO2 max – 42.3 mlO2/kg/min) in a 20-metre bleep test to progress.

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