Manx Care has taken on five new trainees for the ambulance service, who will be assisting the emergency response team at TT.

They recently started their 18-month training scheme as emergency care assistants in a programme led by Manx Care in the island.

The course combines classroom and on the job training, including emergency response driving.

In order to qualify, trainees must undertake their first response emergency care level 3 qualification, an ambulance induction programme, a three-week placement, and the first response emergency care level 4 qualification.

Throughout the programme, trainees are expected to record their experiences, and collect evidence to build their portfolio of skills.

They will also be assessed, with results from assessments forming part of their qualification.

Learners are supported through their training by a paramedic.

Other colleagues, including emergency medical technicians and existing care assistants, will also be supporting the trainees during their placement.

In early May 2022, the trainees will be undertaking emergency response driver training, and will be ready to go just in time for TT.

At this point, they will be called emergency care assistants, and will be working on the frontline for 12 months.

Will Bellamy, recently appointed head of Ambulance Service, said: ’It’s great to see such dedicated recruits joining our team.

’They’re already demonstrating an ability to apply their skills to real-life situations, and are doing a brilliant job.’