Friday 20th September 2013 – 3.00pm – Suzie Fothergill.
Following a 12 month programme West Midlands Ambulance Service’s very first Patient Transport Service Apprentice has now been hired!
Twenty-two year old Scott Kenzie from Coventry started his apprenticeship with the Trust in August 2012, as part of a scheme in partnership with Performance Through People.
One year on and Scott has now successfully passed his intermediate level apprenticeship in Health (Healthcare Support Services) and has been offered a full time permanent position within the Patient Transport Services Team in Coventry.
Talking about the scheme Scott said: “The apprenticeship provided a great opportunity to gain a qualification, whilst providing invaluable on the job experience.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the course, working with the crews and getting real hands on experience. Having a mentor and others colleagues around to talk to really helped when it came to working on my portfolio. I really appreciate the time, help and knowledge that the team provided me, which has no doubt helped me to successfully complete my course.”
Susan McLeod, PTS Contract Manager for Coventry and Warwickshire said: “The apprenticeship programme is a fantastic way of welcoming aspiring young people into the Trust. It’s great news that Scott has managed to secure a full time permanent position. After working within PTS for 12 months he is already very much part of the team.
“I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the staff who have embraced the apprenticeship scheme. I’m extremely proud of the support that they have given to the apprentices, helping them on their way with their careers.”
Scott has always had an interest in healthcare and prior to taking on the apprenticeship he worked for St John Ambulance Service. Alongside his new PTS position, Scott has now also applied to become a volunteer Community First Responder for the Trust in his spare time.
Rob Colbourne, Managing Director of Performance Through People (PTP) who manage the Apprenticeship programme for WMAS said: “PTP are proud to be associated with the West Midlands Ambulance Service and are grateful for the support and commitment from the Senior Managers to ensure quality time is given to their staff to work towards completing their Apprenticeship.
“Working with an organisation the size of WMAS also sends a strong message out to school leaver’s and their parents that an apprenticeship is a valid education and skills path to take and progress in the world of work – or indeed for more mature employees who wish to increase their skills through an apprenticeship to support their progression within the organisation.”
If you are interested in joining the Trust as an apprentice, you can find out more by going to http://www.jobs.nhs.uk and searching for West Midlands Ambulance Service within the employer search box.
Ends
Pictured: Scott Kenzie and Susan McLeod.
