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Protective services

Protective services are all about keeping things safe - people, businesses and communities.

This means fire services, police, the armed forces, paramedics, waste management, and all those other roles which help make our society a better and safer place.

The UK armed forces are one of the biggest providers of apprenticeships in the country, training apprentices in a large range of different roles and professions. Members of the armed forces can learn engineering on a aircraft carrier, qualify in logistics while sending humanitarian aid to disaster-stricken nations, or become a communications specialist monitoring cyber space.

Apprenticeships include:

  • HM forces service person
  • Operational firefighter
  • Custody and detention officer
  • Ordnance munitions explosives technician

Real stories Staffordshire Fire and Rescue

"My apprenticeship will give me the best stepping stone to becoming a highly trained firefighter."
Claire Lester, 25 Operational Firefighter Apprentice, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service

I had applied for another brigade prior to obtaining my position in Staffordshire, so I had spoken to local firefighters and taken part in several ‘have-a-go’ days for different brigades. I had been very disappointed at not getting through the process before, so I was very keen to find another one.

Choose from hundreds of apprenticeships

I came across Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service online. It was an apprenticeship and would still guarantee full-time service after the training, which was refreshing and something I became very interested in. I researched the brigade and was very keen to adopt the morals they stand by.

Develop skills for the future

The thing I enjoy most about the apprenticeship is the variety of work every day. With regular assessments and development days, my apprenticeship will give me the best stepping stone to becoming a highly trained firefighter.