Search begins for Cheshire's newest firefighter apprentice talent

Monday, 1 June 2026 19:10

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has launched its 2026 apprentice firefighter recruitment process.

Between now and midday on Monday 15th June, applicants can register their details via:

http://www.cheshirefire.gov.uk

If they are eligible they then begin a staged application process which includes an online test, practical and fitness assessment, interview, medical and criminal records check.

In 2025, there were more than 2,800 applications for 16 positions - with those apprentice firefighters currently completing their initial training.

Over the last two months, the Service's firefighters and recruitment team have attended careers fairs, community events and held taster days at their headquarters in Winsford to engage people who might not have ever considered a career in the fire and rescue service.

Their message this year is that the role involves more than just fighting fires. Just 4% of a firefighter's time is spent at incidents, with the rest spent helping people to stay safe at home, working with children and young people, advising business premises, and preparing for when emergencies do happen.

Area Manager Matt Barlow, Head of Service Delivery, oversees Cheshire's 28 fire stations. He explained:

"While we still need our firefighters to cope with the physical demands of the job, equally important is their ability to connect with people and support them to stay safe and well. We're focussed on preventing deaths, injuries and damage from fires and other emergencies from ever occurring.

"For that reason, the role of firefighter increasingly appeals to people from all walks of life. More women, people from diverse ethnic and social backgrounds and LGBTQ+ people than ever before are choosing to pursue a career with us.

"I would encourage anyone who cares about people and their communities to visit our website, and learn more about the role."

To progress to the first stage of the selection process, applicants must be 18 or over when the training course begins at the start of January 2027 and be eligible to live and work in the UK. They must have a GCSE in either maths or English at grade C/4 or above, hold a full driving licence with no more than three points and be able to swim 50 metres by the start of the training course.

There is no upper age limit to the firefighter apprenticeship programme.

Apprentices will train on a salary of £30,384, rising to £38,800 when they are competent, usually within two years.