ECA​/EAA - Paramedic Apprenticeship Programme

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 25 October 2026

The Trust runs an internal education pathway, the Paramedic Apprenticeship Programme, in collaboration with two different Universities for those aspiring to train to become a paramedic. This programme is open to staff with a minimum of two years service as an emergency care assistant (ECA/EAA) with SWAST or who have worked for SWASFT for 18 months and have a minimum of 6 months experience in a patient facing health care role.

Higher level and degree apprenticeships are a great option for people of any age. As long as you're committed and passionate, then you could benefit from the opportunity to learn and earn alongside your job in the Trust.

Apprenticeship programmes are designed to be studied whilst working, to help you progress academically and professionally in your programme of study and in your career. On the apprenticeship programme, you will benefit from a workplace mentor and a university personal tutor, who will work together to monitor your progress regularly.

Every individual is different, but someone who is well organised, hardworking, resilient, able to work in a team and conduct themselves as a confident individual stands a great chance of being successful as an apprentice. Your programme will not just provide an academic education, but help you develop as an individual.

The Paramedic Apprenticeship is a Level 6 BSc degree programme
. On successful completion, apprentices will achieve a BSc (Hons) in Paramedic Science and be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Paramedic.

The apprenticeship is delivered through one of two university partners and combines distance learning, virtual teaching, and mandatory face-to-face study days. Before starting the programme, applicants must successfully complete a bridging module.

To support successful completion of the apprenticeship, learners will move onto the Apprenticeship Relief Rota
. This provides the flexibility to continue working operationally as an ECA/EAA while attending planned university study weeks and completing the required placement days. All university attendance is rostered and forms part of contracted working hours.

Due to the academic and placement commitments of the programme, apprentices cannot remain on their existing rota line. The relief rota is designed to support both operational duties and learning requirements throughout the programme.

Further information can be found in the Paramedic Apprenticeship Prospectus 2026/27

Successful completion of the apprenticeship does not guarantee appointment to a Newly Qualified Paramedic role. Those who complete the programme and meet the required criteria will be invited to apply for NQP vacancies through a streamlined recruitment process that fairly assesses readiness for practice.

You will be expected to adhere to the HCPC Code of Conduct of Performance and Ethics, as well as the Student Code of Conduct, from your commencement on the programme, otherwise you may face a Fitness to Practice hearing or review with the University which will determine your continuation on the programme.

Guidance on the HCPC Student Code of Conduct and Ethics can be foundhere

Paramedic Apprenticeship Programme- BSC (Hons) in Paramedic Science

• 6-month prerequisite bridging module
• 2-years on the apprenticeship

Fees

• The apprenticeship- funded by the SWASFT Apprenticeship and Skills levy.
• Prerequisite bridging module- £1750 self-funded payable to the trust upon commencement of NQP role.

Contract type: 37.5 hours

• Be able to evidence certificates of GCSE in Maths (Grade 4 or above, historically A-C) or an equivalent Level 2 functional skills certificates for the same. Certificates must be emailed to the Paramedic Apprenticeship Team by the 2nd November 2026.
• Be able to evidence certificates of GCSE in English Language (Grade 4 or above, historically A-C) or an equivalent Level 2 functional skills certificates for the same. Certificates must be emailed to the Paramedic Apprenticeship Team by the 2nd November 2026.
• Applicants will be required to nominate their current Clinical Team Manager (CTM) as a referee as part of the application process. It is expected that applicants will have discussed their intention to apply with their CTM and obtained their support before submitting an…