Ambulance UK - April 2020

NEWSLINE
Ambulance service
supports National
Apprenticeship Week
Highlighting the positive
impact apprentices have on
its workforce, North West
Ambulance Service (NWAS)
has been supporting National
Apprenticeship Week and held
a special event to celebrate
learners who have completed
their apprenticeships.
National Apprenticeship Week is
an annual week-long celebration
of apprenticeships across
England which took place from
3 to 7 February 2020 and was a
time to recognise and applaud
apprenticeship success stories
across the country.
Since becoming an employer
provider in May 2017,
meaning the trust can deliver
apprenticeships directly to its
staff, over 400 apprentices have
been recruited by NWAS with
139 having now successfully
completed.
Throughout the week, NWAS used
social media to promote the work
of its apprentices highlighting the
variety of roles they undertake.
This included a live Facebook
session with Emergency Medical
Technician Paul Halsey who
answered questions from viewers
and spoke about his career
journey with the ambulance
service.
A celebratory event was held on
Thursday 6 January at Bolton
Whites Hotel where emergency
medical technicians who have
recently completed their Level 2
Associate Ambulance Practitioner
apprenticeship were presented
with their certificate of qualification
by Deputy Chief Executive,
Michael Forrest.
As part of the event, Ben Davies
from Chimp Management
delivered a key note speech
to attendees focusing on
psychological well-being
helping staff get the best out of
themselves and others.
Deputy Chief Executive Michael
Forrest said: “I am extremely
proud of each and every one
of our apprentices. Not only
have they thoroughly engaged
with their learning but the care,
compassion and commitment
they have demonstrated is
second to none.
“We have apprentices in a variety
of different operational and
support roles across the trust
with learners of all ages and
backgrounds. Our Education
and Learning Team supports
apprentices every step of the way
and helps them to be the best
they can be.”
Receiving a ‘good’ rating following
a recent OFSTED inspection,
NWAS became the first
ambulance service in the country
to recruit emergency medical
dispatcher (EMD) apprentices
when it welcomed the first
seven learners to this course in
November 2019.
Having since recruited a further
33 learners to this role who
are due to start in the coming
weeks, the apprentices will
receive a nationally recognised
apprenticeship standard in
emergency contact handling and
are all guaranteed a job upon
successful completion.
Speaking of his role, EMD
Apprentice Sean O’Malley said:
“The thing I love the most about
my job is being a part of the
NWAS family but also having a
part to play in saving lives.”
Within its corporate services,
NWAS has apprentice positions in
its ICT, communications, finance,
learning and development, and
workforce development teams
with learning undertaken by
external providers.
All vacancies are advertised on
the trust’s website
www.nwas.nhs.uk/careers.
PUBLISHERS STATEMENT
On behalf of everyone involved in the production of Ambulance UK, I would like to thank
our fantastic Ambulance Service Staff for the work you are undertaking in these difficult
times and wish you and your families a safe return to normal activity.
We hope during your few break out periods you will enjoy reading the contents of
our latest issue which has been made possible by the following companies via their
advertising support:
Ring Carnation, DS Medical, Ortus, Intersurgical, Edesix, Zoll
It goes without saying that your efforts will be remembered for many years to come and I
sincerely hope you will all be recognised for your outstanding front line support.
THANK YOU
Terry Gardner
Publisher - Ambulance UK
AMBULANCE UK - APRIL
For the latest Ambulance Service News visit: www.ambulancenewsdesk.com
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