LJLA to launch UK’s first Firefighter Cadet Placements for South Liverpool young people

Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) is to launch a Firefighter Cadet Placement Programme which will be the first of its kind in the UK, with three places on offer for young people in South Liverpool.

This latest initiative forms part of the Airport’s Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy, helping to provide more opportunities for communities local to the Airport and follows on from the success of other schemes including the Airport’s Apprenticeship and Traineeship programmes.

This will be a fantastic opportunity to spend 12 months working within the Airport’s Rescue & Firefighting Service with the successful applicants assisting the firefighting watch on duty and helping to maintain an effective firefighting response service at LJLA.

The initiative which has been organised in partnership with South Liverpool Homes is open to 18-24 year olds from the local South Liverpool area and the Airport will be holding three roadshows as it begins its search for three cadets.

On 23^rd, 24^th and 25^th February at the Austin Rawlinson Sports Centre in Speke, employees of the Airport’s Rescue and Firefighting Service will be on hand at various times to talk to anyone interested in applying for the Cadet Placement about the position and the opportunity to spend 12 months working with the Airport Firefighters.

Application forms for this unique opportunity are only available by attending one of the roadshows in person. Applicants will participate in various assessments during March with the three successful applicants starting their Cadet Programme in early April.

Having successfully completed the 12 month programme, Cadets will have received the training and qualifications to hopefully pursue a career as an Airport Firefighter should a position become available at Liverpool or other UK airports.

Neil Gyllenship, LJLA’s Fire Service Manager commented, “This is the first time that any UK airport has been able to offer such an opportunity, giving young individuals from our local community, the chance to acquire the skills and gain invaluable experience should they wish to go on and pursue a career in this industry.”

Joe Cummings, Enterprise Manager for South Liverpool Homes added, “This is a very exciting opportunity for the local community to gain invaluable experience and training, with a real chance of securing employment at the end of it.  It’s a great initiative to be part of as it’s at the heart of what we are all about - transforming the lives of local people, and we are continuing to do this through a number of other exciting projects with the Airport.”