Cleveland Fire Brigade – Youth Guarantee Trailblazer

Many young people across Tees Valley face barriers to finding employment or further education after leaving school or college. For some, a lack of experience or confidence can make it difficult to take that first step into work. The Tees Valley Youth Guarantee Trailblazer was launched to tackle these challenges — providing 18 to 21-year-olds who are not in work, education or training with meaningful opportunities to develop their skills and boost their employability.

Learning Key Skills

As part of the £5million Youth Guarantee Trailblazer, a group of young people took part in an intensive week-long taster session fire training course at Middlesbrough Community Fire Station. Delivered in partnership with Cleveland Fire Brigade, the course introduced participants to key skills including hose handling, problem solving, working at height, fire behaviour, and first aid.

The programme gave participants hands-on, practical training and the chance to earn a nationally recognised qualification. It was designed to provide essential skills while building self-belief, teamwork, and a sense of achievement.

The week concluded with a live practical demonstration and a formal passing out ceremony, overseen by Cleveland Fire Brigade Area Manager David Preston, who praised the group for their teamwork and professionalism.

Boosting Confidence

For 18-year-old Luke Johns, the course proved to be a real confidence boost.

“I went to Outwood Academy and then Prior Pursglove College for two years. Sadly, I didn’t get the grades but that’s one of the reasons that this is a good opportunity.

I applied to do it because I wanted to find a job, like every other person here. It’s been decent, especially coming to the Fire Station and doing loads of new tasks, learning new skills like teamwork, and being professional.

My confidence has gone up, and I’ve also met some new friends, so it’s been a good experience.”

Georgia Martin, 18, from Redcar, enjoyed the experience.

“I studied sport at college, and through this scheme I’ve had the opportunity to find what jobs were available on placement and actually try them.

It’s a good opportunity to get more options for what I’d like to do in future, and I’ve done things I didn’t think I would be able to do.”

Having an Impact

Many of those taking part are now heading for longer work placements at part of the Trailblazer programme.

Participants can take on three and six-month work placements where they are paid at the National Minimum Wage rate. 

Mick Jones, Youth Development Manager at Cleveland Fire Brigade, believed the Trailblazer programme will serve the cohort is good stead for the placements many had been offered on the back of the taster session.

“As a programme, the Trailblazer is – in the years I’ve been doing this type of work with the fire service – incredibly unique.

“It must be one of the best programmes, at this moment in time, out there for young people to find a good opportunity to move into work.”

The Trailblazer programme aims to offer young people across Tees Valley the chance to develop practical skills, gain qualifications, and prepare for lasting employment.

Click here to find out more and sign up.