Ministerial visit showcases award-winning apprenticeship scheme that kickstarted thousands of careers at the country’s busiest ambulance service

London Ambulance Service welcomed James Murray MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, to its training facilities in west London today (Thursday) as the country marks National Apprenticeship Week.

During the visit to the £7 million centre in Brentford, Mr Murray met a number of apprentices who shared their experience of learning on the job through the award-winning scheme.

During the visit, Mr Murray saw apprentices demonstrate assessing an elderly patient as if in a hospice or care home and a patient in a medical emergency in a busy and loud night club setting before visiting the ‘simbulance’ – which offers an immersive virtual experience of driving and operating an ambulance on London’s busy roads.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury James Murray MP said:

“The visit today was wonderful, uplifting and inspiring. The apprentices I met were passionate about completing their extra training and getting back on the road to care for patients.

“Doing an apprenticeship like the ones at these facilities allows people to access excellent training and learn flexibly at their own pace.”

More than 2,500 apprentices have joined LAS since the programme’s launch in 2018, with a significant number from traditionally underrepresented communities in frontline teams. LAS has trained almost 400 paramedics through this route and there are currently around 700 apprentices across the organisation.

London Ambulance Service Chief Executive Jason Killens said:

“London Ambulance Service is committed to educating, training and developing our people to ensure they can care for London and have long, rewarding careers.

“We are very proud of our award-winning apprenticeship scheme and the high-quality training we provide. We attract new talent from all walks of life who can earn as they learn while bolstering our workforce as demand on our service continues to grow.”

LAS is a national leader for supporting staff in apprenticeship roles and learning on the job, being ranked four years running in both the Department for Education’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers and the Mayor of London’s Apprenticeship Employer of the Year.

Jaylen Senior-Manning, Fleet Apprentice at London Ambulance Service, spoke of his experience of the scheme. He said:

“From a young age I watched my dad working on vehicles and it inspired me. I have a passion for vehicles. I want to know how they work and operate.

“Coming straight out of college, this role is setting me up on a good pathway for life. I’ve learnt so many things working in the London Ambulance Service workshop such as servicing a fleet vehicle and changing brake pads or tyres. I love that this apprenticeship gives me the chance to work with, and learn from, lots of different people.

“In five years, I see myself progressing in this career and learning more advanced skills.”

Associate Ambulance Practitioner Dan Protheroe enjoyed giving an insight into his role to the visitors. He said:

“The apprenticeship route is a great opportunity to access the role and enables us to be paid while we learn.

“The tutors are really supportive. It’s a good environment to work in and prepares you for the skills you need on the road.”

If you’re considering a career in our Service and you do not have a paramedic degree, our apprenticeships could be an alternative route to that role. For more information, visit our website.