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In a week long celebration of apprenticeships, this year’s theme of ‘Skills for Life’ shines a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, organisations like the emergency services and the wider economy.
This year, West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) is celebrating 15 years of apprenticeships, with an incredible 3,600 apprentices employed by the Trust across 20 different apprenticeship programmes during that time. It has the largest provision of student paramedic registered apprentices and was one of the first Ambulance Trusts approved as an Apprenticeship Main Training Provider with the Education and Skills Funding Agency for Higher Level Apprenticeships.
“Our workforce aims to be reflective of the communities we serve, and apprenticeships provide a fantastic opportunity for the people within our local community to join the team and learn skills for life.”
Carla Beechey Director of People, WMAS.
Since 2019, all wholetime firefighters joining Essex County Fire and Rescue Service take on a Level 3 Operational Firefighting Apprenticeship. Alongside their training to become operational firefighters, new recruits also take on an 18-24 month apprenticeship where they need to evidence their knowledge and skills in operational firefighting, community engagement and understanding of risk.
Lincolnshire Police has its own Apprenticeship Academy, where apprentices work across the organisation in various roles to provide support to various departments, including Firearms Licensing, Corporate Communications, Crime Management Bureau and Human Resources. They are given the opportunity to learn about the world of policing, gain valuable transferrable skills and knowledge, while studying for a nationally recognised Level 3 Qualification in Business Administration.
Apprenticeships in National Highways span a whole range of business areas, from engineering to project management, customer service, construction, business administration and more. It offers apprenticeships at different levels across England that provide a rewarding job, salary, real-world experience and the opportunity to work on exciting projects. National Highways is hosting webinars throughout the week to provide insights from previous apprentices and information about how to apply.
To find out more about apprenticeships, visit National Apprenticeship Week 2025.
Read our latest news about apprenticeships, Stakeholder views sought as part of Associate Ambulance Practitioner Apprenticeship update.
