Wholetime Firefighter Recruitment 2026

Wholetime Firefighter (Apprenticeship)

Starting Salary £30,384

After 3 years £38,881

Transfer your skills. Transform lives.

Start your journey with Tyne & Wear Fire and Rescue Service.

Are you ready to make a real impact in your community with a career that truly matters?

As a Wholetime Firefighter Apprentice with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), you'll earn, learn and develop lifesaving skills while protecting the people of the North East. You'll receive high quality training, gain a nationally recognised qualification and join a dedicated, supportive team committed to creating the safest community.

Who we're looking for

We are looking for individuals who bring the right mindset, values and behaviours to serve the people of Tyne and Wear.

Our firefighters are:

• Resilient and motivated, showing strong personal impact and a commitment to safety.
• Physically fit, maintaining high standards of delivery of service.
• Confident communicators, acting with integrity and demonstrating outstanding leadership.
• Team oriented, valuing inclusivity and contributing positively to organisational effectiveness.
• Committed to continually learning and improving.

At TWFRS, our values of Safety, Integrity, Inclusivity and Learning, guide everything we do, and we welcome applicants who bring these values to life. We proudly serve a diverse community and encourage applications from all backgrounds and experience.

Minimum Requirements

• Be at least 18 years old before 31st December 2026
• Be eligible to work in the UK

Desirable Skills (Not Essential)

• Ability to swim confidently for at least 25 metres
• A full UK driving licence, or willingness to obtain one once appointed

What You Can Expect

Our apprenticeship programme is designed to develop you into a competent and confident firefighter.

You will receive;

• Practical training
• Classroom based training
• Ongoing assessment and support
• A nationally recognised Level 3 qualification upon completion

Once you've successfully completed your initial training at our state of the art training facility in Washington, you'll be deployed to one of our 17 stations. You will work the 2-2-4 shift pattern (two-day shifts, two-night shifts, followed by four days off), offering a structured predictable rota that supports work life balance.

Becoming a firefighter is a challenging and competitive, but for those who succeed, it brings purpose, pride and long term progression opportunities.

This is more than a job, no two days are the same, and your work directly protects lives, property and our community.

Our Code of Ethics

• Putting Communities First- Compassionate, professional service.
• Integrity- responsible, honest decision making.
• Dignity and Respect- Fairness empathy and professionalism.
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion- valuing different experiences and perspectives
• Leadership- Leading by example and making a positive impact

Ready to make a difference?

If you're motivated, community minded and ready for a career that truly matters, we want to hear from you.

Please read the candidate guidance document thoroughly before applying which contains important information about the selection process.

Advert closes on Tuesday 7th April 2026 at midnight