Summary
Airport Firefighter Apprentice to join the Fire Service at London Stansted Airport. This will be on a fixed term contract for length of apprenticeship, leading to permanent employment.
Wage
£23,386 a year
£23,386 rising to £29.232 after 12 months + 17.5% shift allowance
Training course
Operational firefighter (level 3)
Hours
Shift pattern will be covering a 24 hour 365-day operation using a 12 hour duty shift pattern.
40 hours a week
Start date
Monday 5 January 2026
Duration
2 years
Positions available
8
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you’ll do at work
* Reporting to the Crew Leader or Watch Manager, you will carry out the day-to-day activities required to maintain a fully effective Fire Service in order to save life and to protect property in line with company standards and licensing requirements
* Dealing with emergency situations in accordance with laid down regulations and procedures and undertaking firefighting duties as deemed necessary to save life and protect property
* Regularly communicating with and update the Sector or Incident Commander
* Efficiently mobilising resources required in responding to emergency incidents
* Maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external bodies by applying the agreed policies, procedures and working practices when attending domestic or major Aircraft incidents
* Proposing recommendations for improvements to ensure an effective and integrated response to emergency situations
* Maintaining the required level of professional competence as specified by the regulator in accordance with CAP 699 to uphold the airport licence
* Maintaining equipment for operational readiness to specified standards to meet internal and external audit requirements
* Promoting and adopting safe working practices and ensuring that PPE and operational kit is fit for purpose, whilst working and complying with all safety management systems
Where you’ll work
London Stansted Airport
Bassingbourn Road
Stansted
CM24 1QW
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
College or training organisation
CAPITA PLC
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
* Apprentices will attend an 10-week residential course, Monday to Friday, at the Fire Service College in Moreton-on-the-Marsh, Gloucestershire
* Training will be a mix of practical and classroom-based learning, accommodation and meals will be provided
* The Level 3 Operational Firefighter program includes the internationally recognised Firefighter Foundation Development Programme (FFDP) from the Fire Service College (FSC)
Apprentice Firefighters will also be trained to Civil Aviation Authority standards to undertake operational firefighter duties at UK Airports - Aviation Firefighter Conversion (fireservicecollege.ac.uk)
More training information
* Successful apprentices will receive a certificate of their professional qualification for completing the FSC FFDP, and they will be eligible for professional registration with the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) at Technician (TIFireE) Level
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
* English (grade 4+)
* Maths (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
* Customer care skills
* Problem solving skills
* Analytical skills
* Logical
* Team working
* Initiative
* Physical fitness
Other requirements
Must be 18 years old by the start of the apprenticeship due to legal requirements. UK resident for the last 3 years. No previous Fire Service experience. 5 x GCSE's grades 4+ (Maths & English). Valid Full UK Driving Licence. Meets CAA/MAG medical standards. Pass fitness assessments. Pass required disclosure and back-ground checks.