Ambulance call handler wins apprenticeship award
A WELSH Ambulance Service call handler has won a coveted apprenticeship award.
Kelly Hawkes, a 999 call handler for the Trust, won Apprentice of the Year in the Service Industries category in the North Wales Apprenticeship Awards 2023.
The 21-year-old completed her Health and Social Care Level 2 apprenticeship with North Wales Training last year whilst working as a care practitioner with Tereen LTD before joining the Welsh Ambulance in February 2022.
The apprenticeship scheme is run by the Grŵp Llandrillo Menai Work-based Learning Consortium and sponsored by ADT, Achieve More Training and North Wales Training.
Kelly said: “I found doing an apprenticeship really good for me as not only could I work alongside it, but I could also take my time while completing the course.
“It was a lot of effort, but it was nice that I could do it my own time.
“My assessor Kerry Brown was great as she would make things fun and keep me really involved in the course.”
The North Wales Apprenticeship Award show celebrates apprentices across the region for their outstanding contributions in the workplace.
Kelly continued: “I knew my assessor had put me up for the award, but I never thought I’d win it.
“It was a real shock.
“I think the biggest advantage of doing an apprenticeship is gaining the extra skills I needed to deliver a better service, which I apply to my job in the clinical contact centre.
“I have aspirations of becoming a paramedic and by doing the apprenticeship and now working in 999, it’s given me a good foundation.
“I felt call handler would be a nice place to start and get an insight into the running of the service and I can’t wait to continue on my journey.
“In October 2022, I even helped deliver a baby over the phone, which was such an amazing feeling.”
Gill Pleming, Emergency Medical Service Manager in the North Wales Clinical Contact Centre, said: “In her short time with the Welsh Ambulance Service, Kelly has really embraced her role and has also been mentoring new recruits in their period of preceptorship.
“She is an absolute asset to have as part of our team.
“She adds so much value, provides fantastic support to her colleagues, our patients, and the organisation and we are truly humbled and proud of her achievements.”
Editor’s Notes
Visit www.gllm.ac.uk/apprenticeships to find out more information on Grŵp Llandrillo Menai Work-based Learning Consortium.
For more information, email Communications Officer Beth.Eales@wales.nhs.uk or call Beth on 07870 383209.