WORDS : JULIE BURNISTON PICTURES : TOM BANKS
Flying High
MediPro , the largest independent provider of prehospital education in the UK , has experienced impressive growth over the last two years
In what is a fantastic success story for the company and for its Teesside home , apprentice training provider MediPro is celebrating expansion , a second premises and continued growth . Established in 2008 , the company provides apprenticeships that allow organisations to upskill their workforce , for young apprentices to gain qualifications relevant to their industry and for individuals to achieve accredited , NHS-recognised qualifications via self-funding if they want a career change or career advancement .
Just two years ago , MediPro ’ s apprentice intake was 200 . Today it accommodates more than 1,300 , making it the largest independent provider of ambulance apprenticeships in the UK – a fantastic achievement and one of which the company is understandably proud .
Working in partnership with NHS trusts , the nation ’ s largest ambulance services , multinational corporations and other independent businesses , MediPro specialises in providing a wide range of bespoke courses that fit its clients ’ needs .
Its impressive growth – and the fact that the company also saw an expansion of its workforce , which increased by 25 per cent in 2021 – has meant that MediPro ’ s Stockton HQ has had to double in size to deal with increased demand .
Such has been Stockton ’ s success that MediPro has duplicated its North-East model in Newmarket , Suffolk , with its second training centre opening there imminently .
Though the pandemic has made the last two years challenging for everyone in business , MediPro , like many Teesside firms , dug deep , evolved and has emerged from
MediPro takes pride in supporting former military personnel in helping to build their lives after their careers in the armed forces
the unprecedented times exceptionally well .
It began providing ambulance apprenticeships in response to critical staff shortages , both within NHS trusts and in the private ambulance sector , and continued to make a name for itself as a leader in its field , providing vital training to the ambulance sector at a critical time , not only boosting Teesside ’ s profile but actively helping to save lives .
In 2021 , MediPro secured a contract with the London Ambulance Service – the largest ambulance service in the country – for the provision of hundreds of apprenticeships .
The same year , it was also contacted by Health
Education England and the Education and Skills Funding Agency to support 669 apprentices from the East of England Ambulance Service , with 296 additional apprentices to be supported in 2022 .
MediPro ’ s increasing success has led it to launch a recruitment campaign for experienced clinical tutors , as well as emergency response driving tutors who can teach ambulance apprenticeships programmes , as well as other specialist courses including Level 6 paramedic , offshore paramedic and diver medic .
MediPro launched its unique Tutor Academy Programme in 2022 , offering newly qualified paramedics ( NQPs ) the opportunity to develop their skills as educators .
Tutors can continue clinical practice and their development as an NQP while they are mentored through a number of accredited qualifications on a 12-to-18-month course .
Each tutor trainee is provided with a designated mentor , with training taking place in state-of-the-art facilities at MediPro ’ s Stockton base .
48