Regional recognition for former apprentice

A North East Ambulance Service apprentice who impressed the organisation so much that he went on to secure a permanent position two months early has been recognised at a regional awards ceremony.

Kyle Peebles, aged 20, of Deckham, Gateshead, joined NEAS as a Patient Transport Service (PTS) apprentice in April 2015, supporting patients to and from pre-planned hospital appointments.

His passion for his patients and strong work ethic impressed the Trust so much that he became the first NEAS apprentice to secure a permanent position with the organisation before his apprenticeship had even finished.

He now works as an ambulance care assistant on PTS, based at Gateshead station and will become the Trust’s youngest ever staff governor in November.

Kyle’s commitment and strong work ethic has now resulted in him being highly commended in the regional heat of the National Apprenticeship Awards, beating off stiff competition from across the North East.

This recognition comes on the back of a double award win at the Health Education North East (HENE) Apprenticeship Awards earlier this year.

“Being recognised for being myself means the absolute world to me,” said Kyle.

“I’ve been told there were more than 1,100 applications from Yorkshire, the Humber and the North East. I’m really proud just for being put forward but even more so to be recognised as highly commended.

“I love the career path I’ve chosen. I would say this is the first job where I’m excited to come to work every day and there aren’t many people who can say that.

“I love my patients and can honestly say I get job satisfaction every day.”

Kyle was joined at the awards ceremony in York by his mentor, Trevor Ulph, and his team leader, Steve Schofield.

Steve, who submitted the application for the award, said: “From the offset, everybody commented to me about how good Kyle was. He was an absolute natural with our patients, especially dementia patients which struck me as quite unusual for someone of his age. He even did an impromptu carol service for a day centre, playing Christmas carols on the piano.

“He was the first ever apprentice to secure a full time post before his apprenticeship was even finished. He’s naturally gifted, funny and just a generally nice young lad.”

Trevor added: “Kyle’s a smashing lad. He was keen to get on and wanted to learn everything, which is exactly what you want in an apprentice. I’m very proud of him.”

NEAS started its apprenticeship scheme in 2012. Since then, it has trained 55 apprentices.

Of those, 48 were trained in the Trust’s Patient Transport Service (PTS), taking patients to and from hospital appointments, seven have been business administration apprentices, based in various administrative back office roles in the Trust, three have worked in the IT department, three have been trained in the Contact Centre and one has worked with the stores and warehousing team.

The majority of the 48 went on to secure employment within the Trust. Currently, NEAS has 21 PTS apprentices in training.

For more information about apprenticeships at NEAS, visit https://www.neas.nhs.uk/careers/apprenticeships