Students gaining practical emergency response skills while helping build the next generation of volunteers has been the focus of the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Youth Internship Programs across the state during this school term.
The program invites 15 and 16-year-olds to deepen their understanding of emergency preparedness through hands-on demonstrations with experienced NSW SES volunteers. Over eight weeks, about 70 students attended weekly sessions at their local NSW SES Units, where they learnt vital skills ranging from basic first aid to flood and storm response.
The SES says the program is also proving to be a valuable pathway into volunteering, with more than 31 school-aged students signing up to join the NSW SES ranks fulltime since its launch in 2023.
Skills for life
One of those volunteers is 17-year-old Emily Foster from NSW SES Hornsby Unit, who joined the Service after completing the internship program, which she said gave her confidence and practical skills for life.
‘I have learnt a lot about working as a team and communicating clearly, which has been something I’ve carried with me throughout my school and sport,’ she said.
Already, Emily has put her skills into practice responding to storm damage incidents. ‘I recently completed my storm heights course, which means I can now get up on roofs and replace tiles. I recently helped repair an elderly woman’s roof during a storm,’ she said.
Now as an active volunteer, Emily is helping mentor the next intake of participants. She assisted in running the Hornsby Unit’s Term 2 Youth Internship Program, which saw 28 students graduate.
Ballina
For 17-year-old Mikayla Cairns from the NSW SES Ballina Unit, the program opened doors to opportunities she had never considered. ‘I signed up for the internship program and through that I started learning things I never thought I would as a young person,’ Mikayla said.
‘I find it really interesting and I’m working towards being qualified in general land rescue and road crash rescue.’
NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said the Youth Internship Program was not only teaching young people life skills, but inspiring future leaders.
‘Young people are the future of volunteering in our state. It’s important that we continue to nurture and equip them with practical skills so they can get involved at an early age,’ Minister Dib said.
‘This program provides fantastic insight into the benefits of volunteering with an emergency service, and it’s great to see young people choose to sign up and serve their communities. I have no doubt we will see some of these young stars leading emergency response in the future.’
Strong response
NSW SES Commissioner Mike Wassing AFSM said the strong response to the Youth Internship Program reflected growing interest among young people in volunteering and community service.
‘It’s fantastic to see so many young people joining our ranks. It shows just how successful the internship program has been in encouraging the next generation to step up and serve with their communities,’ Commissioner Wassing said.
‘We are committed to supporting these young people to build the skills, confidence and leadership that will shape the future of the NSW SES and other volunteer emergency services.
‘By investing in the next generation of volunteers, we’re building stronger, more resilient communities and remaining prepared to meet the challenges of increasingly complex emergencies.’
The NSW SES Youth Internship program is returning to Camden Haven, Canterbury, Casino, Cowra, Griffith, Lismore, Manilla, Shellharbour, Taree, Warringah-Pittwater, Wollondilly and Young Units in Term 3 of the 2026 school year.
For more information about the program, or to apply, you can contact your local NSW SES Unit or email [email protected].
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