National Apprenticeship Week 2025

It’s National Apprenticeship Week from 10-16 February 2025 and to mark the event we will be celebrating the 700 apprentices who are working in clinical and support service roles as part of our multi award-winning apprenticeship programme.

Over the last year we have seen the number of apprenticeship opportunities increase, creating more pathways to rewarding careers within the Trust.

We launched a new Enhanced Clinical Practitioner apprenticeship with Sheffield Hallam University in October 2024 with 46 learners now working towards becoming Specialist Paramedics in mental health, critical care and urgent care.

The Level 7 apprenticeship - equivalent to a master's degree - provides Paramedics with the opportunity to gain a postgraduate qualification while working in a clinical setting. It further compliments our clinical apprenticeship pathway which currently has more than 640 frontline apprentices working towards their ambitions of becoming Ambulance Support Workers, Associate Ambulance Practitioners and Paramedics.

We also have an increasing number of non-clinical apprenticeships for existing staff. New programmes include Level 2 Recruitment Resourcer, Level 6 Project Manager (degree), Level 4 Improvement Practitioner and Level 7 Sustainability Business Specialist (degree).

Kim Walsh, Apprenticeships Manager, said: “It's been great to see our apprenticeships expand significantly over the last 12 months. As well as working to continually improve our frontline ambulance career path through apprenticeships, we have significantly expanded the development opportunities available to our non-clinical and support staff, providing them with vital training and opportunities to fulfil critical roles. The number of staff doing non-clinical apprenticeships has doubled in the last year."

Our apprenticeship programme is currently rated number 23 of the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers, a list produced annually by the Department for Education. It was also assessed as good with outstanding features, following the latest full Ofsted inspection.

Last year the Trust also won the health and science category in the national Apprenticeship Employer Provider of the Year 2024.

More details about apprenticeships are available on the YAS website.

Apprenticehip stories

Project management

Steph, Education Quality Assessor, is doing a Level 6 Project Management Degree Apprenticeship.

“I chose this apprenticeship because it offers the perfect balance of practical, on-the-job experience and academic learning which is relevant to my role in YAS Academy. For me, it was an opportunity to enhance my skills and knowledge in project management while continuing to contribute to purposeful project work within my department. The apprenticeship framework also allows me to apply what I’m learning directly to real-world projects, making my studies immediately relevant and impactful.

"For anyone thinking of starting an apprenticeship, I would say go for it, but be prepared to manage your time effectively. An apprenticeship requires balancing work responsibilities, academic assignments, and personal commitments, so staying organised is key but also very rewarding. Also, don’t hesitate to ask for support, whether it’s from your employer, tutors, or fellow apprentices. The benefits of combining practical experience with formal education far outweigh the challenges, and it’s a fantastic way to develop in your chosen field.”

Project management

Sam works as a Research Administration Officer in our Research Institute which leads and delivers ambulance research projects. She is doing a Level 6 Project Management Degree Apprenticeship.

“I started the apprenticeship because it sounded like a perfect opportunity to help me achieve my future goals. It allows me to continue in my current job role and gain some hands-on experience in a real-life work situation, whilst studying for a fully-funded degree at the same time.

"The most fulfilling part has been learning something completely new and passing the assignments at the end of each module, as it helps me to see how much experience I’ve gained and what I have achieved since beginning the apprenticeship.

"Since joining the Research Institute, I have been interested in becoming more involved with research, and this apprenticeship will hopefully allow me to progress by enabling me to apply for a Research Co-ordinator role in the future."

Team leader

We have 21 staff on a Level 3 Team Leader apprenticeship in our NHS 111 service. 

Apprentice Zoe Akrill, IUC Non Clinical Team Leader, said: “This apprenticeship is giving me the skills and tools to help me support and manage my team to the best of my ability. It’s already affirming the knowledge and skills I have. This, in turn, has a positive effect on the patient care we deliver as a Trust.”

Enhanced clinical practitioner

We introduced a new Enhanced Clinical Practitioner apprenticeship with Sheffield Hallam University in 2024 to enable paramedics to work towards becoming specialist paramedics in mental health, critical care and urgent care.

Richard is an Advanced Paramedic (Urgent Care) and is mentoring Enhanced Clinical Practitioner apprentices.

“It has been a new and positive experience for both me and the apprentices undertaking their university journey. The course offers opportunities to maximise learning in many ways and in different environments which helps them to become well-rounded clinicians. I feel increasingly involved and up-to-date with my apprentice's development and fully understand any areas that require development and improvement.

"We have a clear focus as  an Advanced Paramedic Team of exactly what is expected of our staff and how we can support them. Through regular contact with apprentice coaches, we are fully aware the fantastic work the apprentices are doing, as well as areas that require development. It allows us to manage their progress and makes the training process a lot more seamless and streamlined.

"To anyone thinking about starting an apprenticeship, I would say be open minded and honest about the current areas you excel in and areas where you need help and support. The team at Yorkshire Ambulance Service, as well as the university, offer a large amount of support, so even if there are times when you are struggling, we will strive to help.”

Improvement practitioner

We have a range of non-clinical apprenticeships available for our staff. Four of our Quality Improvement (QI) Fellows are currently doing a Level 4 Improvement Practitioner Apprenticeship.

Carl, QI Lead and Paramedic, who is mentoring the students, said: “Although we have facilitated very successful fellowships previously, we felt that we need our QI Fellows’ efforts to be formally accredited into a formal qualification.  This decision offers our fellowship some rigor and legitimacy whilst also ensuring our fellows can end up with a meaningful and widely-accepted qualification.  The apprenticeship also allows our fellows exposure outside of YAS which is always a positive to reduce insular education.”

QI Fellow Danny said: “The most fulfilling part has been able to take the brand-new learning and knowledge and put it into practice into our projects.”

QI Fellow Megan said: “This apprenticeship will hopefully allow me to gain a new role at Yorkshire Ambulance Service and take me to the next step in my career. This qualification will also hopefully reflect well in interviews and show my experience and potential.”

QI Fellow Gemma said: “As I am interested in an improvement role this apprenticeship was perfect to give me the skills, knowledge and experience of project management by leading my own small project.”