2nd November 2022
Local people who want to begin a career in front line emergency ambulance services can now train at BDC's Rush Green Campus.
The College has partnered with MediPro, who provide ambulance staff education and are the only non-university provider for education that leads to HCPC Paramedic registration. MediPro is the largest organisation to provide ambulance apprenticeships in the UK and Barking & Dagenham College is now the only college in the UK to offer paramedic education.
From this autumn, we are running courses at the College to both upskill existing members of the ambulance service, and train new candidates who want to enter the profession. The courses on offer include apprenticeships, as well as other specialist qualifications in remote medical sectors.
MediPro has existed for over 12 years, having sites across the country and their clients include London ambulance and East of England ambulance, as well as independent ambulance services across the UK. Barking & Dagenham College is now MediPro’s south of England base and expecting to attract people from across the region to these specialised courses.
The unique partnership will see students able to learn in a specialised skills room at the college and practice within an ambulance, which is now permanently based at the College. Students will be able to take part in real-life simulations, including rescues from vehicles involving the fire brigade. When complete, the skills room will house hyper-realistic resuscitation dummies and a mock hospital bay.
Kirsty Wharton, Head of Apprenticeships at MediPro explains: “It has always been our ambition to have a site in the capital, since we have students that come to us from London but also who fly in from around the world. This partnership with the College, will ensure that we can offer ambulance, Paramedic and Post-graduate medical courses to a wider audience. Our aim is to have a realistic and enjoyable learning experience that will equip the students to have a successful career caring for and saving the lives of the people of London.”
One of the first students to study for her Apprenticeship at the College is Jamie Brough, who says: "I started my MediPro journey in February 2022; I was nervous coming back to education after 10 years of working as well as having the previous year off on maternity leave. I instantly felt at ease with my tutors, they were approachable and knowledgeable, and I was excited for the coming months. Although I’m now working for London Ambulance Service, I still have regular contact with my tutors and MediPro as I complete my apprenticeship. If I ever feel like I need support in my coursework I know that MediPro are there to help me no matter my query. I have learnt so much already from my time with MediPro, and I feel confident in my ability to progress and achieve my dream career."
For more information about the courses, please see: www.medipro.co.uk
