YOUNG people from across North Ayrshire are developing skills in the fire service, with a view to possible careers.

Area commander Ian McMeekin revealed that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service had now partnered with Ayrshire College as the accrediting body for its national FireSkills programme. 

This initiative is designed to support young people aged 12 to 18 by offering essential life and employability skills, such as leadership, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, through the delivery of courses at community fire stations. 

As part of this partnership, Ayrshire College will award all successful participants the SCQF Level 4 Employability Award.

It is estimated that more than 400 young people across Scotland will benefit annually from this partnership arrangement.

Mr McMeekin told North Ayrshire Council's Police, Fire and Rescue Committee: “The uniformed emergency services course works closely with individuals who are keen on joining police fire or ambulance.

“Through that collaboration work we are giving people an overview on what the service means in public services and how they actually contribute to wider needs of the local community. 

“The fire skills programme does form part of a wider programme of work where we start to look at children and young people in its entirety.

“There is a bit about deliberate fire setting and keeping people safe but at the same time it is about trying to support the wider community.

"Fire skills is just part of it. We had programmes for young people in the Garnock Valley last week and there is a youth volunteer programme. This has fire in its title but we are part of a collaborative approach.

“At Greenwood Academy we have young people coming over and following watches for seven weeks and, at the end, they have a pass out display and a personal development plan.”