trainee jobs in Leeds

Trainee Firefighter Advert

Leeds Bradford Airport is one of the UK’s fastest-growing regional airports, and we’re committed to employing ambitious, high-quality people who want to make a real difference. As a Trainee Firefighter, you’ll have the opportunity to build a rewarding career in a specialist Fire Operations team, helping protect passengers, colleagues, aircraft and the wider airport. If you’re passionate about safety, enjoy working as part of a team and want a role where your training and development have a real purpose, this could be the opportunity for you. Living our values of Be the Best, Work as One Team and Do the Right Thing, you’ll learn from experienced firefighters, develop the skills to respond to emergencies

What Your Day-to-Day Will Feel Like

Your journey will begin with structured firefighter training, where you’ll develop the knowledge, practical skills and confidence needed to work in an airport fire service. During this period, you’ll work daytime hours, learning from experienced trainers and preparing for the demands of the role.

As your skills develop, you’ll gain hands-on experience with specialist fire appliances, equipment and emergency procedures, alongside wider airfield safety duties. Once you’ve completed your training and demonstrated the required competencies, you’ll join an operational watch, supporting your colleagues in responding to aircraft emergencies, providing rescue and firefighting assistance, and keeping the airport safe.

Once fully qualified, you’ll move onto a 24-hour rotating shift pattern, becoming part of a close-knit team where trust, teamwork and being ready to respond are essential. It’s a challenging and rewarding role where you’ll continually develop your skills while making a real difference to the safety of passengers, colleagues and the airport.

What’s in it for You

• Salary: £37,705.50 per year as a Trainee Firefighter, with progression, and pay uplifts as you develop your skills and achieve the required competencies.
• Training & Development: Structured training and hands-on experience to help you build the skills and confidence needed to become a competent airport firefighter.
• A Rewarding Career: The opportunity to make a real difference, helping protect passengers, colleagues, aircraft and the wider airport.
• Team Environment: Join a close-knit Fire Operations team where trust, teamwork and looking out for one another are at the heart of what we do.
• Excellent Facilities: Enjoy access to a newly refurbished crew room and an on-site gym to support your wellbeing and fitness.
• Varied Work: Develop specialist skills across aircraft emergency response, rescue and firefighting, first aid and wider airfield safety duties.

What We Are Looking For

• A genuine passion for safety, helping others and making a positive difference.
• Further education qualifications or accreditations, ideally gained through a trade or similar practical background.
• A current, valid UK driving licence with a suitable driving record.
• A high level of physical fitness and the ability to successfully pass the required firefighter recruit fitness tests.
• A willingness to learn, take responsibility and work towards the competencies required of an operational airport firefighter.
• A strong team ethic, with the ability to communicate effectively, follow procedures and work safely alongside colleagues.
• The flexibility to move onto a 24-hour rotating shift pattern once fully qualified.

Your Application Journey

We’re looking for people who have the right attitude, commitment and potential to develop into excellent airport firefighters. Our selection process is designed to help us understand your fitness, approach and suitability for this important role.

• Apply Online: Submit your application through this portal, completing all required sections.
• Fitness Test: Applicants progressing through the initial selection stage will be invited to undertake a fitness test to assess their suitability for the physical demands of the role.
• Face-to-Face Interview: Successful candidates will be invited to an interview to discuss their motivation, experience, approach to teamwork and commitment to safety.
• Training & Development: Successful candidates will begin their training journey, completing the required onboarding and initial training before progressing through the relevant competency assessments.
• Progression to Firefighter Level 1: Once you have completed the required training and demonstrated the necessary operational competencies, you’ll progress to the Firefighter Level 1 pay of £41,454 and become part of the operational watch structure.

Candidates who are unsuccessful on this occasion may be considered for a candidate pool, providing an opportunity to be considered for future vacancies where appropriate.