AMBULANCE bosses are to recruit more than 400 student paramedics as pressures mount on the service.

With pressures on the ambulance service continuing, the West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust has launched 'its most ambitious recruitment plans to date'.

MORE STORIES

DVLA clamp untaxed cars in Worcester

Horror motorcycle crash - 'why is driver not banned?'

In total, the trust is looking to recruit 484 student paramedics across the entire West Midlands region, including in Worcestershire.

Louise Jones, Recruitment Manager, said: “Today (Monday) our exceptionally popular student paramedic programme opens to applicants as we work to further bolster our front-line staffing levels across the whole of our region.

"This means that, compared to our previous student paramedic recruitment, we are now looking to recruit across Birmingham, Black Country, Coventry, Warwickshire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire and Staffordshire.

“In addition, for the first time we’ll also be accepting applications to our student paramedic programme from individuals awaiting A-Level or other Level 3 results. If you’re leaving college this year and want to work for us as a paramedic, you can now apply.”

Ms Jones will be taking over the @officialwmas Instagram account on Saturday, June 18 to share hints and tips as well as be on hand to answer questions from anyone interested in applying.

She added: "We now have a dedicated microsite about our student paramedic programme which includes everything you need to know about entry criteria, the application and assessment process as well as the training programme once you begin so I would urge anyone considering this fantastic opportunity to visit www.wmascareers.uk in the first instance.

“We’re also set to hold a number of career events in parts of the West Midlands in the coming weeks and I’d encourage anyone keen to apply to come along and meet us for an informal chat.”

The following events are so far confirmed but more are set to be announced in the near future via the Trust’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @officialwmas and via www.wmas.nhs.uk.

They will take place at Shrewsbury Town FC on Wednesday, June 15 between 6pm - 8pm and at Attendance at Himley Hall Armed Forces Day on Sunday, June 26 between 11am – 5pm