| 28 January 2025
A steering group led by ambulance services in England is conducting a review of the Level 4 Associate Ambulance Practitioner Apprenticeship Standard.
First introduced in 2017, the Standard, which is in use across both NHS and independent providers, is being updated to ensure that it remains fit for purpose for employers and learners and continues to meet the needs of patients and service users.
A 6-month employer-led review has seen English ambulance trusts, the Independent Ambulance Association, awarding organisations and Skills for Health, work in collaboration to refresh the structure and content of the apprenticeship in line with educational, operational and patient and service user requirements.
The steering group – also known as a ‘Trailblazer’ – have developed an outline draft of the new Standard and is now inviting stakeholders to submit their representations to a public consultation before the updated Standard is submitted to the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) for approval.
Carol Offer, Assistant Director of Workforce & Organisational Development with North West Ambulance Service, is the Chair of the Trailblazer Group and explains:
Apprenticeship Standards outline the high-level knowledge, skills and behaviours required to carry out a defined occupation or set of occupations. What it is required of a person to carry out a role successfully changes over time, and so this review aims to update the Level 4 Associate Ambulance Practitioner Apprenticeship Standard against the backdrop of dynamic service demands and to meet the needs of different employers. This consultation therefore provides a unique opportunity for the relevant stakeholders to feedback on this Standard, underpinning the development of a key role within the urgent and emergency care workforce in England.
Dawn Probert is a Consultant at Skills for Health – the sector skills council responsible for designing and reviewing healthcare apprenticeships. She comments:
The Level 4 Associate Ambulance Practitioner Apprenticeship is a vital route into a range of careers in the ambulance service. Given that it provides a platform for developing and expanding the workforce, it is crucial that stakeholders have their say on the future of associate ambulance practitioner skills development. We welcome the feedback of stakeholders and look forward to receiving their submissions to the public consultation
The Level 4 Apprenticeship is a key entry point into the ambulance service as part of an ambulance crew and further offers the opportunity to progress into the role of paramedic.
Feedback submitted to the consultation will be reviewed by the Trailblazer and reflected where necessary to the draft Standard.
Take part in the consultation before Friday 14 February 2025.
Take part in the consultation