Steven Barnfield is on his way to realising his ambition of a job in industrial asset protection as one of ten apprentices selected for the second programmes run by Teesside-based CFB Risk Management.
The 27-year old from Hartlepool, studied for a BSc in applied sport and exercise science at university and was working temporarily in a restaurant when he saw the apprenticeship advertised and jumped at the opportunity.
The intensive 18-month apprenticeship was set up in 2015 by CFB Risk Management, the first company of its kind in the UK to be set up by a Fire Authority, and it leads to a Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Industrial Emergency Fire Services Operations.
CFB Risk Management provides a range of industrial asset protection services to blue-chip companies operating in high hazard sectors that include chemical, oil and gas, petrochemical, nuclear and energy. Their biggest multi-million contract to date is to protect the £2.9 billion Sirius Minerals Mine project in Yorkshire.
The 10 North East apprentices currently on the second scheme are Steven Barnfield, Hartlepool; Aaron Davison and Brendan White from Middlesbrough; Jonathan Colclough, Newcastle; Liam Hodgson, Seaham; Jamie Scott and Daniel Wilkinson from Stockton; Joe Wattis, Acklam; Ross Boardman, Sedgefield and Alex Whitehill from Durham.
“I was so pleased to be selected as I knew there was a lot of competition for the apprenticeships,” said Steven. “I’m enjoying it a lot and we are already covering so many aspects from security and maintenance to emergency response and hands-on site experience. It is demanding but CFB Risk Management has unique expertise and experience and I know this qualification will give me numerous different opportunities to work in the sector.”
Steven is currently working alongside a graduate from CFB Risk Management’s first apprenticeship intake, 22 year old Jack McTiernan from Middlesbrough who is now a Site Protection Officer at the Ineos Nitriles site. CFB Risk Management provides 24/7 protection to Ineos, Navigator Terminals and Huntsman Tioxide at their sites on Seal Sands.
“I had always wanted to be involved with the Fire Service,” said Jack, “and had just completed college when I read about this apprenticeship scheme starting. Over eighteen months we covered a lot of material and benefitted from hands-on experience and I’m now thoroughly enjoying the job.”
Barry Whitton, Emergency Capability Manager for CFB Risk Management at the Ineos Nitriles site, said: “Our apprenticeships have attracted hundreds of applications since they started and both the selection process and the apprenticeship itself are rigorous. The 10 apprentices in our first intake, aged up to 27 and from right across Teesside, were praised for their hard work and commitment. All are now employed, six of them working as Site Protection Officers on various sites with us.
“We have every confidence that this second group will do just as well. These apprenticeships not only provide valuable opportunities for young people in our local communities, giving them nationally recognised qualifications, but also help to create the specialist skills needed in this sector,” he added.