Midlands Air Ambulance technician learning tricks of the trade through City of Wolverhampton College

Alex Chapman, aged 26, started a two-year property maintenance apprenticeship in December 2024 and is benefitting from practical training in carpentry, electrics, painting and decorating and plumbing through week-long block release placements at the college's Wellington Road campus, in Bilston.

Alex, who works at the charity's airbase in Shifnal, said: "I worked in caretaker and maintenance roles for a number of years before joining Midlands Air Ambulance as a property maintenance technician in 2023.

"I had taught myself a number of practical skills but wanted to learn the correct way to do different tasks and the property maintenance apprenticeship is ideal as it's hands-on training and I'm learning on-the-job.

"The block release placements are good as they concentrate on one specific trade each time and I now have more confidence to tackle any issues that arise back at work.

"I'm supported by a college assessor and, at the end of the training, I will have to compete a two-day assessment and use the skills and knowledge I've gained to approach a number of scenarios.

"There's lots of benefits to doing an apprenticeship and, if you like practical work it's a great way to learn."

Emily Browne, head of education and training at Midlands Air Ambulance charity, said “Our people are at the heart of everything we do and providing apprenticeship opportunities is just one of the ways that we are able to provide the training and development that best suits their, and the charity’s, needs."

For more information on the property maintenance technician apprenticeship go to wolvcoll.ac.uk/demographic/apprentices/category/construction-apprenticeships or call the college's apprenticeship team on 01902 837163.

Find out more about the lifesaving work of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity at midlandsairambulance.com.