£11,000 for each Level 4 Fire Safety Inspector Apprentice

Fire Services are among eligible organisations set to receive a huge financial incentive to opt for fire safety apprenticeships for their employees with the release of a new standard.

Xact Assessment has discovered that a New Apprenticeship Standard will be available later this month following a trailblazer review of the Level 4 Fire Safety Inspector Apprenticeship.

This will now also incorporate the essential Level 4 Diploma in Fire Safety as a mandatory qualification triggering a £3,000 uplift in government funding available to £11,000 per apprentice.

This means that levy-paying companies, such as Fire and Rescue Services and NHS Trusts, can claim this amount from their levy pot for this qualification.

Our EPA Manager Martin Wordsworth, who played a major part in the review, said: “The news could not come at a better time ahead of the start of National Apprenticeship Week 2023.

“The funding boost will enable squeezed training budgets to be used for other essential training requirements. Plus, with the incorporation of the diploma, it makes more sense than ever for organisations to go down the apprenticeship route.

“We at Xact Assessment are looking forward to supporting many more employers with End Point Assessment to develop or upskill Fire Safety Inspectors and make our communities safer.”

Published by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE), the apprenticeship now meets the knowledge, skill and competency requirements of the NFCC Competency Framework for Fire Safety Regulators for the role of Fire Safety Inspector.

It means that on qualification as fire safety professionals, apprentices will be able to assess the fire safety level in the built environment, including that of complex buildings, investigate improvements and conduct enforcement activities.

Companies which have a wage bill of less than £3million per annum, i.e., non-levy payers, will receive 95 per cent government funding meaning that the apprenticeship will cost them just £550.

Completion of this apprenticeship End Point Assessment with Xact Assessment has the potential to bestow a significant opportunity for apprentices to develop their careers and improve their prospects, 

In some cases, it may open the door to achieving professional recognition with the Institution of Fire Engineers, Institute of Fire Safety Managers or Chartered Association of Building Engineers. 

They may also get the chance to progress to the Level 5 Diploma in Fire Engineering Design or Level 6 Fire Safety Engineer (Degree) Apprenticeship.