Chelmsley Wood teenager's job prospects are hotting up

I LOVATT: Lucy with (left) Michael Bryan, West Midlands Fire Service's
youth engagement officer and Ian Hughes, from the PPDG

A CHELMSLEY Wood teenager with a burning ambition to become a firefighter recently landed her dream work experience placement.
Lucy Lovatt, aged 17, is currently involved in a voluntary course run by Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG), which aims to improve the employment skills of young people in North Solihull.
While completing her study programme, the eager teenager dashed off an email and was delighted when Solihull Fire Station agreed to show her the ropes. Not to mention the bells, poles and hoses.
As part of the five month placement, she is shadowing different departments at West Midlands Fire Service. And away from the station, the PPDG course is teaching her the importance of teamwork, good timekeeping and dressing to impress.
"This is an incredible opportunity and I'm so grateful for all the support I've received from the team," said Lucy, who is more determined than ever to join the fire service.
"If I had to give a piece of advice to teenagers in my situation it would be improve your skills, undertake some work experience and use your time to see if it's an area you definitely want to be in. If it is, learn from those around you and then look to make a career out of it."
Women have traditionally been under represented in the fire service - just four per cent of the current workforce is female. A number of stations around the country have held special recruitments drives in an effort to improve the gender balance.