Franklin County launches first-ever Paramedic Apprenticeship Program in Virginia

Odyssey Fields
·2 min read

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) — The Franklin County Department of Public Safety is making history and has announced that the first and only Paramedic Apprenticeship Program will be coming to Virginia.

The department is teaming up with The Franklin Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Carilion, Ferrum College, and the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR). On Feb. 14, organizers marked the historical initiative with the Paramedic Apprentice Signing Day Ceremony.

The department says the program is designed to advance the standards of paramedic services in Franklin County while creating a pathway for people who aspire to be paramedics. During the apprenticeship, nine participants will have the chance to get hands-on experience with the Franklin County Department of Public Safety and complete 4,000 hours of paid training. Students will also acquire more than 280 hours of related technical instruction.

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“This collaborative effort has been a delight to observe from concept to delivery. We are grateful for this team and look forward to developing additional programs to support emergency services in the coming months,” said Dr. Jason Powell, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and Chief Innovation and Research Officer at Ferrum College.

The Apprenticeship Coordinator II for the IALR Natori Neal said that this program is powerful and will help expand opportunities across diverse health care professionals. Franklin County says it will also be another way to boost the paramedic workforce to help with needs across the county.

“The Paramedic Program is such an asset for Franklin County citizens. It provides an excellent career with great benefits and fills the need for more paramedics,” said Kathy Hodges, Executive Director of the Franklin Center. “I want to especially thank our team who brought this dream to reality: Franklin County Public Safety, Carilion, Ferrum College, and VCU Health. Franklin County’s Paramedic Program is honored to offer the first Paramedic Apprenticeship in the Commonwealth.”

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