Want to try go for a paramedic apprenticeship, what should I do to ensure my success?

I am a UK student in Year 12. I have about 15 completed virtual work experiences (I've enrolled in quite a few more too), got a weeks worth of experience prepared. have done 2 weeks of shadowing internationally and am trying to get some work experience for the summer too (already have some volunteering ready, gonna try get some more work experience though). The issue is my grades are looking at around Cs (in maths bio and chem) and I don't have a driving license or even a provisional.
Is there anything else I will need? And is a driving license going to be needed too? Any other advice would be appreciated thanks

Reply 1

TSR Hippocrates

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Reply 2

emilynunns

Original post by udayphilip

A driving license will absolutely be necessary, I haven't talked to many people about this but when I've previously looked online at paramedic apprenticeships etc a driving license is always necessary. They almost always ask for a full driving license and say that they can provide training to progress to a higher level of license that means you can drive larger vehicles (like an ambulance). I would say if you're serious about it to get your provisional and start driving lessons asap if possible and obviously if you're old enough.

Reply 3

Para218

As @emilynunns has said, you will need a driving license first and foremost. At the point of application, you will need a full B license and your provisional C1 license, with most trusts wanting you to have your full C1 license upon starting.

At the moment, West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) is the only trust that offers a full 'paramedic apprenticeship' from start to finish. All other trusts will eventually put you up to paramedic through the apprenticeship, but you will need to do time as an ECA/AAP/EMT first. If you do not wish to go to university to do your BSc, then I would advise either applying to WMAS when they open, or joining your local trust in one of their entry-level ambulance roles (either ECA/ECSW/ASC or AAP/EMT), which they will train you for..

For grades, it is not a massive issue so long as you pass. Universities will want at least 104 UCAS points (typically BCC); however, they differ based on the university. WMAS says on its website that you just need to have at least 1 A-Level, along with 5 GCSEs at 5 or above.

The main thing about getting your first job in the ambulance, whether it is for a paramedic apprenticeship or another role, is that the trust will mainly be looking at your experience delivering the soft skills. Part-time work in customer service roles or healthcare is brilliant, as is work experience in healthcare.