Students celebrate at their ‘Passing Out’ parade!
Twelve young people attending Warwickshire County Council’s Firebreak programme have been celebrating today as they demonstrated their skills at a ‘passing out’ parade.
The parade, which took place at 1pm on Friday 26 March was attended by fire officers from the youth development department, County Councillor Richard Hobbs, the Portfolio Holder for Community Protection, Head of Division for Young People, Hugh Disley and parents, teachers and friends.
Firebreak is a successful youth education programme run over ten weeks by Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Youth Development Department. The course offers an opportunity for young people to experience an alternative learning environment in which they can develop their existing skills and qualities.
It also tests its participants’ commitment and their skills in a range of activities including; orienteering, abseiling, fire safety drills, driver training and team building.
Activities are all team-based and help to install key fire service principles and skills such as leadership, teamwork and communication. It also helps to build levels of self-confidence and self-discipline.
Youth Development Manager, Moreno Francioso said: “We are really pleased that so many young people have completed the course and will be able to celebrate their success in front of their family and friends.
"It is a real achievement for these young people and we feel that the passing out parade is a great way for them to show how much they have achieved and have realised their potential.”
Cllr Richard Hobbs, Portfolio Holder for Community Protection, said: “I would like to personally congratulate the students for successfully completing the ten week Firebreak course, it is a real achievement.
"Firebreak is a very effective programme and has helped a number of young people to be able to go onto further education, training and employment and have attributed that success to attending Firebreak.”