Are you interested in developing advanced mechanical skills, gaining sector recognised qualifications while serving your community, working to keep it safe?
Then you have already taken the first step to becoming an Engineering Apprentice with East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. Working from our workshops in Newhaven, Bexhill and Roedean the ESFRS engineering team are responsible for the purchase, maintenance, repair and disposal of its inventory of vehicles and operational equipment including breathing apparatus and breathing air compressors.
ESFRS will offer you a chance to work with, and on, some of the most technically advanced vehicles and operational equipment currently available, all of which are dedicated to supporting front line Firefighters, whether it be at incidents or community education. You will be a vital part of that team.
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service’s vision is to achieve a safer community. We value respect & dignity for all, trust, integrity, initiative, innovation and most of all, we are proud of our fire and rescue service and enjoy working in a positive and safe environment.
A successful candidate will need to be enthusiastic, dedicated, and have practical ability and passion for this industry. You will also need to live in East Sussex. Ideally, you will have a driving license or have a willingness and commitment to obtaining this.
Most of all, you should be proud to serve the community you work and live in.
In return, you will complete the Level 3 Heavy Vehicle Technician Apprenticeship, which will enable you to develop an advanced understanding of motor vehicle technologies. To support this process, you will study at a nominated college for 4 days roughly every 7 weeks. You will be provided with appropriate IT equipment, tools for the job, travel and accommodation will be paid for during attendance at college (which is based in Derby). You will be supported and monitored throughout the apprenticeship with visits from the learning provider while at work.
The starting salary for this 3-year apprenticeship will be £28,146 per annum and will be subject to an annual increment as well as cost of living increments.
Your normal place of work will be Fort Road workshops, Newhaven for the duration of the apprenticeship, but this may change based on your development or service needs.
This recruitment process is split into two stages.
Stage one will consist of a face to face interview and if successful you will be invited back to participate in an Engineering themed aptitude test.
Interviews: 16 February 2026, which will take place at Bexhill Community Fire station (TN39 3LG)
Aptitude tests are planned for the week commencing 23 February 2026
If you would like to find out more, or have a quick chat about this opportunity you can email or call Louis Thompson on Louis.Thompson@esfrs.org / 07974606720
Diversity and Inclusion
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service value diversity and recognise that different people bring different experiences, ideas, knowledge and culture and that this difference brings great strength.
We aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our communities across East Sussex and Brighton and Hove and would like to encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds who share our values and want to make a difference to the community.
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service welcomes applications from all suitably qualified individuals including those who may not have considered a career in the fire and rescue service before. .
We have guidance in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability or neurodiversity.
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Our Purpose, Commitments and Values.
Our Purpose and Commitments are at the centre of everything we do. Whether responding to emergencies, working to prevent them happening in the first place or providing support, our firefighters, officers, control room operators, Business and Community safety teams, support staff and volunteers all play their part.
We are proud to serve East Sussex and Brighton and Hove City.
Our purpose
* We make our communities safer
Our Commitments
We will do this by:
* Delivering high performing services
* Educating our communities
* Developing a multi-skilled, safe and valued workforce
* Making effective use of our resources
Our Values
PROUD - We are proud of our Service and enjoy working in a positive environment - by continually improving our services and our organisation.
ACCOUNTABLE - Serving our whole community - by providing a good, cost-effective service.
INTEGRITY - Trust, integrity, initiative and innovation - by being open, honest and encouraging creativity.
RESPECT - respect and dignity for all - by treating members of our community and each other in a way that values their individuality and by challenging discrimination and unsuitable behaviour.
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Notes
Please note that all roles at East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service will be subject to either DBS checks or a Police vetting process (the latter for roles based at Joint Headquarters in Lewes). The check will take place for the preferred candidate at the end of the selection process, before a final offer of employment can be made.