As part of our National Apprenticeship Week blog series, we’re highlighting another of our Apprentice Fire Engineers: Malachi. Having joined DFC in 2023, he is now midway through his academic year and continuing to develop his fire engineering knowledge through a combination of apprenticeship work and project‑based learning. Here, Malachi reflects on his progress to date:

Working at DFC whilst studying at the University of Lancashire has given me a great balance of learning and development, couple with real industry experience. Over the past two years, I’ve strengthened my technical understanding, broadened my practical skills, and gain a clearer view of what a career in fire engineering looks like.

My apprenticeship is progressing well, with continual opportunities to learn and grow both within the workplace and university. The hands-on kinaesthetic learning experience particularly helpful in understanding how the material I study at university applies in practice. A particular example is recognising how fire safety design influences other members of the design team, the overall design process, and client requirements.

One of the most valuable aspects of my role has been the range of project exposure I’ve had at DFC. So far, I’ve contributed to a diverse mix of building types, each with its own challenges and learning opportunities. Working and learning alongside experienced engineers at DFC has been invaluable. Their feedback, guidance and willingness to involve apprentices in meaningful work has played a major part in my development.

My involvement in higher‑risk buildings, such as heritage and listed buildings, has given me the opportunity to better understand and appreciate their complexity and how to demonstrate compliance with the Building Regulations. These projects require more detailed fire strategy to ensure that every party involved has a clear and comprehensive understanding of how the building meets the relevant requirements.

I’m excited to keep continue developing my skills, especially as fire safety plays an increasingly important role in sustainable and responsible design. I’m looking forward to seeing what the next two years of my apprenticeship will bring.

This is one of three apprentice blogs we’re sharing during the National Apprenticeship Week. Read the other apprentice stories in this series here: Kerry’s blog and Faith’s blog.