North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) is celebrating Apprenticeship Week by highlighting
As an apprenticeship employer‑provider, NEAS delivers one of the most successful and diverse apprenticeship programmes in the NHS, supporting more than 300 apprentices at any one time across clinical, operational, corporate, educational and leadership roles.
Deputy director of people and development at NEAS, Karen Gardner said: “The future NHS relies on new ways of developing and retaining talent, and apprenticeships are central to that ambition.
“At NEAS, we are not simply delivering programmes - we are building pathways that transform lives, strengthen our services, and secure the long‑term clinical capability of our organisation. The exceptional achievements of our apprentices this year show what’s possible when investment, innovation and inclusion come together with genuine purpose. This work is shaping not just our service today, but the ambulance workforce of the next generation.”
In the last year alone, NEAS placed 28th in the Department for Education’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers—the only ambulance trust to achieve this honour four years running and one of only two NHS trusts featured nationwide. NEAS was also recognised in the North East Apprenticeship Awards, with several students receiving major accolades, including Degree Apprentice of the Year.
Through the Apprenticeship Levy, NEAS contributes approximately £700,000 per year, which the Trust reinvests directly into high‑quality education and training. This funding enables NEAS to:
- Provide accredited qualifications for frontline and support staff
- Recruit and grow talent aligned with the Trust’s workforce plan
- Reduce reliance on external education budgets
- Support hard‑to‑recruit and specialist clinical roles
- Improve retention, job satisfaction and career progression and personal agency
In 2025/26, NEAS will expand apprenticeship delivery to include new accredited programmes for 999 and PTS dispatch, communications officers, logistics and leadership, ensuring staff in critical functions gain nationally recognised qualifications.
NEAS has transformed its education model, with all core frontline programmes now delivered as apprenticeships. The Trust has achieved:
- 94% timely completion rate
- Over half of apprentices achieving Distinction
- Highly positive Ofsted, DfE and FutureQuals assurance outcomes
- Continued approval on the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP)
Advanced practice pathways have also been strengthened, with NEAS delivering MSc‑level development, new PGDip routes and enhanced induction for specialist clinical roles.
Real people, real impact: apprentice stories
NEAS apprentices come from diverse backgrounds and stages of life, bringing a wealth of experience, passion and commitment to patient care.
Tyler Watson, who joined after the loss of his mother, said: “I used my grief to achieve my lifelong dream—to be that shoulder on somebody’s worst day. The support from the education team is incredible. If you’re thinking about it, just do it.”
Nikita Trenerry, progressing toward becoming a paramedic, shared: “The apprenticeship is a great way to earn while learning the skills of the job. I’d always recommend this route—go for it.”
Robin Grant, a parent balancing family life and career growth, added: “At 36, I felt too old for university. The apprenticeship lets me work hands‑on while learning and earning. It’s accessible at any age.”
Former Royal Artillery veteran, Aaron Buttress, said: “If you enjoy teamwork and learning on the job, it’s a fantastic option. It’s given me a clear pathway into emergency care.”
These stories reflect the true value of apprenticeships—not just as an entry route, but as a gateway to long‑term careers, personal growth and professional development.
For information on apprenticeship opportunities at NEAS, visit: https://