A woman and two men stood in front of a University of Cumbria sign to mark the partnership between the university and Manx Care

Cumbria's university supports Paramedic pathways to be facilitated on the Isle of Man

The first cohort of Manx Care learners have begun their BSC (Hons) Paramedic Science Degree Studies at the University of Cumbria.

The five apprentices are the first of fifteen that have been funded to complete their education over the next three years.

The course has been developed in line with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Standards of Proficiency for registered Paramedics, the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education’s Paramedic standard, the Quality Assurance Agency’s benchmark statements for Paramedic Science, and the College of Paramedics (CoP) Curriculum Framework Guidance.

Upon successful completion of the course, the students will be able to practise under the protected title of Paramedic.

Paramedic Pathways

Manx Care and the University of Cumbria have formed a partnership following an 18 month process to facilitate the training of internal colleagues to become Paramedics on the Isle of Man, where they will be primarily based.

Manx Care has on-boarded four Ambulance colleagues who are also associate lecturers with the University of Cumbria, to support the students and the delivery of the programme.

The first student cohort is due to graduate in the summer of 2026.

Head of the Isle of Man Ambulance Service, Will Bellamy, commented: “I am delighted that we have secured funding for fifteen of our ambulance colleagues to be given the opportunity to progress and train to become Paramedics on-Island.

“Previously people have been deterred from the pathway as they do not want to leave their commitments on the Island.

“Expanding our service in this way will allow us to deliver a more structured approach to our provision of care to the community and will reduce the strain across our hard-working colleagues.”

University of Cumbria

Associate Professor, Tom Davidson, Director for the Centre of Excellence in Paramedic Practice at the University of Cumbria, pictured below, said:

“We are proud and excited to support Manx Care and the Isle of Man community through this innovative paramedic apprenticeship pathway.

“Our university is recognised and prides itself on addressing sector, regional and national skills needs. We do this by working closely with employers across frontline public services, and many industries to upskill and reskill the workforce.

“This enables our graduates and communities to thrive, now and for generations to come.”

Tom Davidson (1)

As part of its mission to help address regional, national and sector skills needs, the University of Cumbria works with NHS, ambulance trusts and employers to support the upskilling and reskilling of the workforce across nursing, midwifery and allied health professions.

As well as traditional pathways, the university's apprenticeship provision is recognised across the UK and beyond, being judged as 'Good' by Ofsted in 2024. The university's first 200 Paramedic degree apprentices from seven ambulance trusts across England graduated in ceremonies at Carlisle Cathedral in July 2023.

ENDS