Summer Internship Scheme 2026

Salary:  £11.00 per hour

Hours: Part Time – 30 hours per week

Location: Service Headquarters, Calcot, Reading

Paid work experience internship opportunity, dedicated support and development sessions

Excellent annual leave allowance of 25 days (pro-rata)

Parking facilities and a Local Government Pension Scheme are available.

The Summer Internship Scheme is a fantastic opportunity aimed at 18-year-old residents of Berkshire who are from ethnic groups that are currently under-represented within our Service. This is a paid summer internship which will offer successful applicants the opportunity to begin to develop a range of workplace skills to support their future ambitions and experience the exciting range of activities involved in a modern fire and rescue service.

As part of our strategic drive towards inclusion for all, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) are offering four internship positions, with the aim of expanding pathways into the sector for those who may have not previously engaged with our Service. Find out more in our dedicated FAQs document and the role profile. Full eligibility criteria is also available on our website.

Successful candidates will join the Scheme in summer 2026, participating in an internship which offers the chance to earn a salary whilst gaining valuable experience to support their future education or career ambitions.

As part of a small group on the scheme, interns will have the opportunity to meet new people, develop key transferable skills for the future including communication and teamwork, and also receive career development sessions and workshops. They will follow an exciting, tailored programme of activity, including tasks to complete in allocated departments, as well as visits to other fire stations across the county.

All interns will be guided throughout the placement by a dedicated mentor as well as Line Managers to provide support and advice, with relevant safety checks in place at all times.

We are keen to support all interested candidates to apply, and can offer flexibility and support regarding travel, which can be discussed during the recruitment process.

Successful candidates must be able to commit to the full duration of the internship scheme (Friday 3 July to Friday 7 August 2026) within our Headquarters, based in Calcot, Reading, in addition to visits to fire stations across Berkshire.

During the recruitment process, we will be looking for different skills and attributes.

• Ability to work in a team
• Good communication skills
• Enthusiastic and motivated learner
• Value and encourage inclusion
• Share views on change and improvement
• Ability to prioritise and work to deadlines
• To be able to demonstrate the values of the RBFRS Behavioural Competency Framework

Successful interns will be able to build on these skills over the course of the summer as part of their internship.

We will also consider applications in line with our Behavioural Competency Framework throughout the process. This framework outlines the behaviours that support us to deliver an effective service. Further detail is available on the role profile document.

The Internship is open to 18-year-old residents of Berkshire from underrepresented groups within Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The successful candidate will demonstrate and promote behaviours in line with the Job Profile/Person Specification and our Behaviour Competency Framework as attached.

The Behavioural Competency Framework allows us to easily identify the behaviours that drive successful performance and enables us to deliver an effective service. The behaviours detailed within the job profile will be assessed throughout the selection process.

If you are interested in applying for an internship with the Summer Internship Scheme, click Apply Now to apply through our online portal. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accessibility of the online portal, if you require an alternative way to apply, such as via paper application form, please do not hesitate to contact us at HR@rbfrs.co.uk.

Please see the link to the Job Profile/Person Specification.

Appointment is conditional upon undertaking a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

For further details about the scheme for further details about the scheme or if you have any questions, please contact Claudia Trott, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Lead trottc@rbfrs.co.uk.

If you have any queries about the application process or to discuss any adaptations or adjustments, we can make to assist you in your application process please contact Amanda Gavin at gavina@rbfrs.co.uk or by phone 01189 4550 for an informal discussion.

The closing date for applications is 11:59pm 16 March 2026.

Applicants will be contacted regarding the outcome of their application as soon as possible thereafter, or by Friday 20 March 2026. At this time candidates who have been shortlisted will receive an invite to the next stage of the selection process.

It is anticipated that the assessment stage will run on evenings in the week commencing 13 April 2026 followed by an online interview the week commencing 23 April 2026. The assessment stage will include a group activity. The interview will be an opportunity for us to learn more about you and your motivations for taking part in the scheme. Further information will be shared with shortlisted candidates in advance.

We have chosen these dates in order to avoid potential exams. However, if the dates conflict with exams please let us know and we will seek to support all shortlisted candidates as far as reasonably possible to participate in the process.

The Summer Internship Scheme Induction Day is anticipated to be held on Friday, 3 July 2026.

Please view our privacy notice via this link: Applicant Privacy Statement.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service values your individuality, your diversity and your dignity.  All are welcome here. Inclusion, diversity and equality are principles which guide our decisions and will be visible throughout the Service, and we will continually work to improve in these areas. 

We are committed to creating an inclusive culture of dignity and trust where everyone feels safe and comfortable to bring their whole self to work.

Simply: The communities we serve are varied and diverse, we should be too.

Applications are welcome for job-share or part time arrangements please enquire on application.

All applications are considered on merit alone. We are a Disability Confident Leader – if you meet the essential criteria of the role, you will be guaranteed an interview if you choose to opt into the Offer of an Interview Scheme (formerly known as the Guaranteed Interview Scheme).

To find out more, visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion page.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and all employees must share this commitment.

Please view our Safer Recruitment Statement via this link.