London Ambulance Service becomes national leader for apprenticeships in the UK

London Ambulance Service is now officially a national leader for supporting staff in apprenticeship roles and learning on the job after being ranked fifth in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2024.

The Service is the only NHS trust in the UK to make the top 10 of the Department for Education’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2024 beating rivals such as PwC, BUPA, Tesco and BBC.

Chief People Officer Damian McGuinness said:

“London Ambulance Service has a proven track record of commitment to education, training and equipping our people with the skills, knowledge and experience they need to thrive in their future careers.

“This amazing achievement of being ranked as the top NHS apprenticeship employer and a top 10 apprenticeship employer in the UK recognises how we are striving to seek top talent and nurture it to ensure people who come to LAS for their careers can develop and flourish in a range of roles suited to their skillsets.

“Our ground breaking apprenticeships allow us to bolster our workforce while continuing to attract new talent who can earn while they learn.”

LAS had more than 500 apprentices during the 2023/2024 year. Half of those were trainee Assistant Ambulance Practitioners (T/AAPs), a role which needs no previous medical experience but can be a route to becoming a paramedic.

Our apprentices also include Emergency Medical Technicians who undergo further education both theory and practical this provides an excellent foundation for the paramedic apprenticeship.

London Ambulance Service is the only NHS employer for its apprenticeships to be ranked in the top 20.

Darren Avery, Strategic Workforce Development Manager – Apprenticeships, said:

“We are so proud to be named as a top 100 employer for apprenticeships for the fourth success year, against such stiff competition as well!

“This accolade is recognition for the teamwork, commitment and talent of our apprentices and the dedication of the Service to foster that talent into incredible paramedics.

“London Ambulance Service is committed to attracting talent and helping to nurture its people to ensure they grow and thrive.”

Emergency Medical Technician Adam Arthur, who is due to start his paramedic apprenticeship soon, said:

“London Ambulance Service fosters a real culture of learning and development. My teachers and team leaders are committed to helping me to develop and thrive in my work and studies.

“The work is hard but it’s very rewarding and I’m very well supported. I love how I can learn something in the classroom and quickly showcase my skillset and competency in that area, so I can be signed off to try that skill under supervision on the road.

“I am also really happy about having a passionate and keen crewmate who is also striving for success and ensures I’m always learning something new – whether that’s in the classroom or out on the road in an ambulance.”

It comes after Mayor of London Sadiq Khan named London Ambulance Service ‘Apprenticeship Employer of the Year’.

The Mayor praised the Trust’s for its excellent efforts in helping Londoners get into high-quality apprenticeships and supporting them through their professional and academic journeys.

You can find London Ambulance Service job vacancies here and see the full list of the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2024 here.