A group of eight young people have successfully completed and graduated from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s (WYFRS) FireWork programme.

Following their completition of the programme, the group showcased their new skills – including road traffic collision (RTC) rescue, first aid, and hose running and firefighting techniques – in front of family, friends and special guests in a pass-out parade.

Funded by the Violence Reduction Partnership at West Yorkshire Combined Authority, and delivered by WYFRS’s Youth Interventions Team, the FireWork initiative is an employability and life skills programme for young people aged 16 to 24, who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).

Taking place over eight weeks, the course helps young people develop resilience, teamwork and practical skills.

placeholder image — Taking place over eight weeks, the course helps young people develop resilience, teamwork and practical skills.

Annabel Pugh, youth interventions trainer at WYFRS who led the participants through the training course, said: “I'm extremely proud of the hard work and dedication this group of young people have shown throughout the course.

“They have challenged themselves, supported one another and developed skills that will help them take their next steps into employment, training or further education.”

She added: “It can be extremely nerve-wracking for the participants to not only stand up and speak in front of family and friends but also deliver a practical demonstration of the skills and knowledge they have picked up.

“They’ve all done themselves proud.”

The group learned skills including road traffic collision (RTC) rescue, first aid, and hose running and firefighting techniques.

As well as family and friends, special guests attending included the Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel De Souza; chair of West Yorkshire Fire Authority, Coun Ryk Downes; and Deputy Chief Fire Officer of West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Dave Walton.

Claire Wright, youth intervention and Prince's Trust manager for WYFRS, said: “FireWork is about helping young people build confidence, develop new skills and realise their potential.

“We are incredibly proud of everything the participants have achieved over the last eight weeks. Their commitment and determination has been clear to see, and today's parade showed just how far they have come."

Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said: “Congratulations to the young people who graduated from the FireWork programme, which our Violence Reduction Partnership has supported.

“It really demonstrates the incredible potential that can be unlocked when we invest in young people and commit to their future.”

The next FireWork course will be delivered at Dewsbury Fire Station from Tuesday, October 6. An introduction day will take place on Thursday, October 1.