Shrewsbury Colleges Group and Midlands Air Ambulance have agreed a wide-ranging partnership. The collaboration sees the locally based college provide training and apprenticeship support to the charity and in return college students will have the opportunity to work with the charity across several strands of its operations.
The first part of the partnership will see the college support in the funding of some of the charity’s staff, enrolling them onto a project management apprenticeship. This is a vital training need for the Midlands Air Ambulance service and over the two-year apprenticeship, staff will be trained within this crucial role for the charity. In addition, the college will assist in the training and development of the organisation’s staff over the next few years.
In return, students at the college will have the opportunity to compete work experience placements with the Midlands Air Ambulance in the charity’s retail operations. Health and Social Care students will also benefit from being able to visit the facilities of the Midlands Air Ambulance teams and observe the work of the charity.
James Staniforth, Principal of the college said, ‘This is a fantastic opportunity for our two organisations to work together for a common goal of sharing knowledge and expertise. Our students will benefit hugely from access to an organisation that helps so many people in our local communities. Likewise, the college will support Midlands Air Ambulance to develop their staff and help them progress within their various roles.
Pam Hodgetts, Corporate Partnerships Manager for Midlands Air Ambulance continued: ‘We’re delighted to be joining forces with Shrewsbury Colleges Group on this collaboratory approach. From the initial discussions, it was clear that both organisations could help each other in mutually beneficial ways.