Young people will have the opportunity to gain some new skills these summer holidays working with emergency services.

The free Youth in Emergency Services programme will run from January 22-26, 2018 in Whangamata, and is a hands-on introduction to the work of the emergency services in the region.

The YES programme involves a mix of knowledge, skills training and activity-based sessions culminating in realistic scenario exercises for participants to practise their newfound skills.

The YES programme is run collaboratively with the volunteer Fire Services, St John, Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR), Thames Valley Civil Defence, Thames-Coromandel District Council and local community-based volunteer emergency service partners Coastguard NZ and Surf Life Saving NZ.

They will all be sharing their knowledge and skills with those who take up the challenge.

Everyone involved goes away with a better understanding of what it means to work within an emergency service organisation, as well as learning all-important life skills, strengthening community connections, and building the capacity of local emergency service organisations.

Download an application form here.

To be involved you need to be:

• 16-21 years old
• Motivated and committed
• Have good self-management skills
• In good health and physically able
• Available to commit to attending a one-week programme January 22-26, including a one-hour introduction on January 18.