Record numbers want to be student paramedics at West Midlands Ambulance Service
A record number of people are clamouring to become student paramedics, with more than 1,000 applying for the posts.
West Midlands Ambulance Service is recruiting 300 and spokesman Steve Parry said: "The Trust received its highest number of applications following an advertising campaign for new frontline staff across the region.
"The next stage will be to shortlist applicants before inviting them for assessment and interview. We are aiming to have the first of our new recruits on training courses by March."
More than 20,000 people considered applying, looking at the job specification on NHS Jobs, which the service says is a 'staggering figure'.
The 30-month paid training course will lead to becoming a registered paramedic, and it is expected all 300 new staff will be working on the road by September.
Last year the Trust recruited more than 280 paramedics, Mr Parry said, and it is likely the programme of recruiting more operational staff will continue later this year.
WMAS already has one of the highest skill mixes in the country, and the roles are being created to increase the paramedic workforce of the trust and help meet the increased demand it has been experiencing throughout the year.
Chief executive Anthony Marsh said: "As a paramedic you will have one of the most amazing careers; saving lives and helping people in their hour of need. As someone who has worked in the ambulance service for over 25 years, I know just how rewarding the job can be.
"As an organisation that provides health services to one of the most diverse communities in the country, we want to be sure that our staff represent all sections of society, young and older."
West Midlands Fire Service has also seen huge numbers applying for roles, with a recruitment drive ending this week.
A fire service spokesman said they are working through applications to see who did well enough to be invited to progress to the next stage, and hope to inform successful and non-successful applicants by the end of this month.
Practical tests are expected to take place in early March.
It comes as the service has lost 275 firefighters in the past four years as a result of £22 million cuts in funding.
