AN ambulance service has teamed up with a North-East college to offer a career training programme.

The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) and Gateshead College are inviting applicants to apply for a four-week training course to improve their chances of securing a role in the service’s emergency operations centre.

Every year, the service answers over one million emergency 999 and NHS 111 calls treating and discharging 24,000 patients with telephone advice, according to the NEAS.

Open days will be held on October 9 and November 13 at Gateshead College, where potential applicants can hear more about the role and meet the team.

Kevin Marston, assistant principal of curriculum innovation at Gateshead College said: “The new academy will provide aspiring call operators with the skills, knowledge and confidence they need for a career with NEAS.

“This will put them at the front of the queue and improve their chances of securing a role in the Trust.”

Gerardine Hope, operations centre manager at NEAS says, “In these roles, our employees can make a real difference to people’s lives.

“To do the job well, call operators need to be able to make decisions, respond quickly to requests and multi-task.

“The work is fast-paced, exciting, challenging and hugely rewarding and this opportunity will help new and previous applicants to develop the skills needed to be successful here.”

Applicants must have three GCSE grades A to C or equivalent, including maths and English, or relevant experience and must be over 18 years old.

For more information or to sign up to attend the information day, visit www.gateshead.ac.uk/NEAS