Summer Internship Scheme 2026
| Posting date: | 02 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £11.00 per hour - internship for 18 year olds |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 04 March 2026 |
| Location: | Reading, Berkshire |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | 26/09 |
Summary
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.
About you:
During the recruitment process, we will be looking for different skills and attributes.
Candidates will be assessed on the following key areas:
• 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.
Closing date for applications is 23:59 hours 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.
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.
About you:
During the recruitment process, we will be looking for different skills and attributes.
Candidates will be assessed on the following key areas:
• 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.
Closing date for applications is 23:59 hours 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.
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Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.