Students from Coleg Cambria benefitted from attending North Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s innovative Phoenix course last week as part of a programme to improve long term employability.

The Phoenix course is designed to assist in redirecting the energy of young people towards productive and worthwhile activities that will assist in their integration with peers and communities.

Skills learnt during the week were demonstrated at a ceremony of achievement attended by parents, guardians and staff from the college.    

This 5 day course, which was based at Mold Fire Station, is part of a 6 week programme by Coleg Cambria.

Some of the learners on the course will go on the be interviewed for year long work placements with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service as part of an established partnership to help develop the individuals and get them ready for the world of work.

Kevin Roberts, Senior Fire Safety Manager for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: "The Fire and Rescue Service has a powerful draw for young people, which gives us the opportunity to try and influence behaviour.

“The Phoenix project offers a unique experience to build on qualities we as a Service work towards such as respect, communication and trust.

“The learners attending this course were on a ‘Traineeship’ programme with Coleg Cambria - a Welsh Government funded programme that works with 16-18 year olds who live in Wales and who have been identified as having barriers preventing them from moving on or progressing.

“The week has involved a blend of classroom learning where the youngsters were taught consequences of actions, then drill yard activity where we promote working together as a team, assessing risk and adhering to instructions.

“The aim of the course is to assist the youngsters in becoming more motivated and positive about themselves, which in turn has the effect of making them better citizens.

"We are hoping that these young people will feel that they have gained something positive from the Phoenix project and that it will be of benefit to them in the future.

“We also look forward to welcoming a number of these individuals back for interviews for our work placement opportunities, helping to protect our communities by strengthening links and looking after the wellbeing of future generations.”

Carol Ann Probert, Employability Mentor Traineeships, Coleg Cambria, said:

“Working collaboratively with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is an important part of the Traineeship programme - the opportunities they offer young people enable them to develop relevant and important transferable skills that help them to progress.

“The Phoenix programme in particular showcases the skills and qualities that the young people didn’t realise they had.

“The difference it makes to their self-confidence and esteem is life changing for some of our learners.”