Fired up with new skills thanks to Helston firefighters (From This is The West Country)

Fired up with new skills thanks to Helston firefighters

1:00pm Sunday 14th October 2012 in Cornwall

Job seekers have had the chance to learn new skills as part of a course run at Helston Fire Station. Helston Job Centre teamed up with Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service’s Phoenix Works team, to enrol a group of people of all ages to learn new skills and build confidence to help them find work.

The course was developed in partnership with Cornwall Works and supported by Jobcentre Plus.

It included first aid, learning presentation skills and life skills as well as fire-fighting activities such as using the fire hoses. Referred by the job centre, all participants were given the opportunity to gain an Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network (ASDAN) level one qualification in ‘improving own learning and performance’.

They have now received their certificates in a presentation ceremony attended by Helston’s mayor Jonathan Radford-Gaby and assistant chief fire officer Mike Roach.

Chief Fire Officer Des Tidbury said: “I am encouraged to see how Phoenix Works team has been able to use the work and reputation of the fire and rescue service to help this group of people develop useful new skills.”

Lance Kennedy, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for community safety and public protection, said such courses were an “excellent example” of how working with organisations such as Cornwall Works and Jobcentre Plus could make a difference to people’s lives.

“I am delighted to celebrate the people who have embraced this opportunity to learn from the best,” he added.