IT was an unusual ‘day at the office’ for nine youngsters as they learnt about the role of emergency services.
With everything from safety presentations to learning how firefighters cut people from cars, the Winchester City Council apprentices were put through their paces at the city’s fire station.
The visit was part of their attempt to be crowned winners of the Brathay Apprentice Challenge, which searches for the apprentice team of the year by testing team building, leadership, logistical and communications abilities.
Above: The apprentices were shown how firefighters can cut through cars in emergencies
The city council has put together a team of mentors, made up of some of their officers, who help the apprentices with the challenge, including Rebecca Hallett, of neighbourhood services.
She said: “The fire service is a great model of a team coming together. By seeing them work as a team they can put their own skills and knowledge into practice.”
The apprentices, aged 16 to 24, work in various council departments, including human resources and communications.
Above: Ken Brown and Rebecca Hallett, who help mentor the apprentices
Mentor Ken Brown, programme manager for EU funding, said the apprentice programme is very competitive and gives youngsters that would otherwise struggle the opportunity of career progression.
The apprentice team leader, James Roberts, 19, said the fire station visit was “very helpful”.
“When you go into any organisation and see how they run and work it’s interesting,” he said.
More than 70 teams have entered the Brathay Apprentice Challenge and the final is in July.
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