Please introduce yourself and tell us about your career to date.
My name is Matthew Coaley, and I am currently employed as an Apprentice Fire Engineer with Falck Fire Services UK, working predominantly within the high-hazard industry. Alongside my professional role, I am a Student member of the IFE and am also studying towards a Bachelor of Engineering in Fire Engineering at the University of Lancashire.
I began my career in health and safety within the lithium-ion battery manufacturing sector, working at what was the UK’s first gigafactory. This early experience in a high-risk, rapid evolving environment highlights the importance of fire safety and sparked my interest in fire engineering as a career pathway.
Since transitioning to this field through my apprenticeship, I have gained hands on experience in supporting fire engineering activities across different industries. My work has exposed me to both prescriptive and performance-based approaches, including the application of British Standards such as BS 9999, BS 13565, and BS 7974, alongside other standards such as NFPA.
Describe your apprenticeship role within your current workplace and describe what a typical working day looks like.
As an Apprentice Fire Engineer, I am at the early stages of my career in fire engineering, as I learn to apply fire safety principles in real-world settings while working alongside experienced professionals in the company. My role allows me to develop a strong foundation in all avenues from engineering judgement and regulatory compliance without the pressure.
In my day-to-day work, I support both the Principal Fire Engineer and Senior Fire Engineer with tasks such as fire risk assessments review and production, engineering calculations and emergency response procedures. I also spend time reviewing guidance documents, attending sites when required, and contributing to reports and documentation.
What were your main reasons for choosing an apprenticeship over other educational or career routes (e.g., university, full-time work)?
I chose the apprenticeship route because it allows me to gain practical, on-the-job experience while completing my formal qualification. I have always wanted a career where I could learn by doing through applying fire safety principals in real-world scenarios, as I find this is often the most effective way to retain knowledge and to truly understand the work I am doing.
At the same time, the academic element of my apprenticeship has helped me build a strong theoretical foundation, allowing me to directly connect what I learn in my studies with the practical challenges I may face. This combination is valuable for me to improve my technical knowledge and professional development, preparing me for my career in fire engineering in a way that a traditional university programme could not.
What specific skills or knowledge do you feel you’ve gained through your apprenticeship that will help you in your long-term career?
The programme is helping me develop a growing understanding of the fire regulations and standards, and how to find and interpret key information in them. By working with British Standards and NFPA guidance, I am constantly learning how these documents are structured and how to apply the guidance when required.
Is there any advice you would pass on to someone considering doing an apprenticeship?
Embrace the opportunity to learn on the job. By completing an apprenticeship, it allows you to gain “hands-on” experience while studying, which helps you understand the concepts that you are learning.
Apprenticeships allow you to develop not only your career skills but also personal skills by learning from colleagues. Working closely with others can help you build communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills, which are just as important as the technical knowledge you get.
Are there any particular challenges or unusual aspects to your apprenticeship role?
The most challenging part to my role is trying to become adaptable to the varied nature of the work. Each project can have different requirements, site conditions and risk factors. This means I must quickly understand the context of the job or process to allow myself to apply any standards or recommendations. Fortunately, I have great mentors who support me and offer advice where necessary.
What do you find most enjoyable about your apprenticeship role?
The most satisfying and rewarding part is having the opportunity to combine the learning with practical experience. Being able to take the theory I study as part of the BEng programme and applying it to the projects that I am a part of is extremely rewarding.
Is there a great professional achievement or high-profile accomplishment that you would like to tell us about in your apprenticeship role?
At this stage of my apprenticeship, my greatest achievement is the progress I am making in this new role. Being trusted to contribute to tasks such as supporting with documentation is a significant milestone for me and has helped build my confidence.
Recently, I have been assigned my first project which is to support the monitoring of the transition away from C8 firefighting foam. This project enables me to study technical guidance and understand regulatory drivers. Being trusted to support a project of this importance in my apprenticeship will provide valuable learning experiences and has marked a key milestone in my career.
What inspired you to become an engineer or pointed you towards an engineering career?
Becoming an engineer was never something that I thought about growing up but through my early experiences in health and safety, specifically the Lithium-ion industry, I always thought that there was more behind the decisions that were being made to prevent accidents from happening. Working in this setting made me appreciate how engineering can directly protect people, property and the environment which kickstarted my interest in joining this profession.
The idea of combining technical problem solving with real world impact really appealed to me. I am fortunate enough to have mentors around me who I could ask questions about the fire engineering sector. Their guidance and the fascinating nature of the work only drew me further towards this and I haven’t looked back since!
What contributed to your decision to gain IFE Student membership?
I wanted to be part of a professional body that can support my career development and continuous learning in the industry. I thought it was crucial doing this from the start as I aim to progress to Member grade and hopefully attain chartership to show my competence. Joining the IFE allows me to begin building this path early in my career, as setting clear goals is vital for long term progression.
How has being an IFE Student member supported your development during your apprenticeship? (e.g., resources, networking, learning opportunities)
It has given me access to important resources relevant to where I am in my career, such as the Early Career Networking Group, which covers crucial topics including radiation and enclosure fire dynamics.
It has also opened doors to connect with experienced professionals through events, offering valuable insights to best practices and industry expectations that support the work I do. As someone who is new to the field, being able to learn from others’ experience is extremely valuable as it helps build a strong foundation of knowledge.
Would you recommend joining the IFE as a Student member to others? If so, why?
Yes, I would highly recommend joining the IFE as a Student member to anyone that is new to the industry and people who cannot yet achieve other grades. Joining such a body can provide valuable resources and guidance for those who are starting out in the fire engineering field. Membership allows you to attend events whether that be local or online which can help you develop your knowledge and skills away from the normal routine of work.