Students at the King's Lynn campus recently had the opportunity to hear from a former Public Protective Services student, Freddie Schulmann who is now a firefighter. Returning to share his journey, Freddie provided valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of working in the fire service, offering practical advice to help current learners prepare for their future careers. 

During his talk, Freddie discussed life on watch, highlighting the teamwork, discipline and quick thinking required in high-pressure situations. He also gave students a detailed overview of the firefighter selection process, sharing his personal experience of not initially progressing to the next stage but securing a place on the reserves list. He emphasised the importance of perseverance and encouraged students not to give up if they face setbacks. Freddie explained what candidates can expect during the selection process and offered tips on how to improve their chances of success. He even shared examples test questions, which got the group thinking critically and gave them a clearer understanding of the assessment criteria. 

To give students a hands-on experience, Freddie bought along his own firefighting kit and other equipment used on the job. He challenged the group to a competition to see who could put the kit on fastest, aiming for the one-minute standard that firefighters have to meet when responding to an emergency, This interactive session gave students a realistic feel for the speed and precision required in the role. 

He also highlighted the skills he developed during his time at CWA and how they prepared him for his current role. 

Freddie said that ‘Learning to be a firefighter really gave me a sense of confidence. And learning at CWA gave me the building blocks I needed to get there’

Course tutor, John Felingham added that ‘It’s a great opportunity to have an ex-student come in and talk to students. They get to understand and learn why we set the standards and fitness levels required. As it’ll come in handy on in later life, as well as how things such as Maths  and English can really impact and help them later in life.’ 

The session gave students a change to ask questions and gain inspiration from someone who has successfully pursued a career in public protective services. His story served to the students as a reminder of the career possibilities available to those who complete the course.