Paramedic Students Face Job Freeze in Wales
A paramedic student has expressed consideration of relocating abroad for employment after being informed that no positions would be available for newly qualified paramedics in Wales.
Lorna Edwards is among approximately 70 final-year students who have been notified of a recruitment freeze.
The Welsh Ambulance Services Trust (WAST) confirmed on Wednesday that it would not be offering roles this year due to "financial and operational issues."
The Royal College of Paramedics (RCP) anticipates similar recruitment freezes across the UK later this year.
It further noted that in 2025 there was a "UK wide mismatch" between the number of graduating students and available roles.
Students pursuing a paramedic career can study the BSc paramedic science course at Swansea and Wrexham universities in Wales or at over 50 courses across the UK.
Edwards, 26, from Llandeilo, has studied at Swansea University for three years and had planned to join the Welsh Ambulance Service after graduation.
However, the announcement has cast uncertainty on her future plans.
"We've been told we'll be graduating in July but there will be no jobs available for us at the band we've trained for any time soon. It is worrying, we would have liked a bit of warning. It feels like a slap in the face really," she said.
"We've been kept in the dark and it's a bit insulting. We feel like we don't matter and we've been pushed aside."
The degree-level paramedic training is heavily subsidised by Healthcare Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), part of NHS Wales, which has invested millions in bursaries for this year's cohort.
Students have completed months of placements, sometimes over 100 miles from home, in various parts of Wales.
In previous years, graduates would typically be offered roles within NHS Wales as Newly Qualified Paramedics (NQPs) at NHS band 5.
After mentorship lasting up to two years, NQPs would progress to career paramedics on NHS band 6 pay scale.
However, in 2025 only about one-third of graduates were initially offered NQP posts, with some offered band 4 roles as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) instead of paramedic positions.
"We could potentially now have considerably lower-banded jobs than what we've been trained for and I do think people will either leave or seek other careers, then what did we train for?"
Edwards noted that despite the news being a "shock," the university has provided support throughout the process.
Other paramedic science students, who contacted BBC Your Voice, reported being advised to apply for jobs in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia — options Edwards is also considering.
"I'm considering going away, I think I need to keep all of my options open but certain things aren't feasible for me. Canada isn't a feasible option, for some people it would be a great opportunity, but a lot of us are mature students, some have mortgages, children, other careers they have put on hold, they can't just pick up their lives and move halfway across the world," she said.
Wider UK Impact and Support Measures
Head of Education for RCP, Kirsty Lowery-Richardson, attributed NHS recruitment freezes to financial pressures and increased competition for clinical roles across professions, contributing to the surplus of graduates compared to available positions.
"We are aware that the Welsh Ambulance Services Trust has indicated to student paramedics in Wales that there will be no new registrant vacancies for those graduating this summer. While regrettable, this is a situation we expect to see reflected in other parts of the UK over the coming months."
The RCP is supporting affected graduates by highlighting alternative options, including overseas employment and the Paramedic Foundation Preceptorship programme, which can commence while continuing to seek substantive paramedic roles.
Carl Kneeshaw, Director of People at WAST, stated the organisation is "navigating a difficult financial and operational landscape," requiring recruitment decisions based on staffing levels, service demand, workforce skill mix, and affordability.
"Regrettably, as things stand, we are not in a position to employ newly qualified paramedics this year. We know this will be deeply disappointing for those hoping to start their careers with us, especially after the time, effort and commitment they have invested in their training, but we are committed to supporting them as they consider their next steps."
He added that WAST encourages graduates interested in a career within the service to consider emergency medical technician roles, which they expect to recruit for throughout 2026, or positions within other ambulance services and health and social care organisations.
"We are working closely with our university partners and HEIW to understand the impact of this decision on graduates and future workforce planning," he said.
Minutes from a WAST trust meeting in March revealed the need to save £9 million in 2026/27, involving efficiencies in frontline and clinical services.
Political Responses
A Welsh government spokesperson stated:
"We are committed to ensuring our investment in NHS education and training is supported by meaningful employment opportunities. We are working closely with the WAST, HEIW and universities to address these challenges and support graduates."
A Welsh Labour spokesperson affirmed their commitment to ensuring the NHS in Wales has sufficient staff now and in the future through a long-term workforce plan.
A Plaid Cymru spokesperson criticised the Welsh government for "failing" students and the NHS, noting plans to "create a new comprehensive national workforce strategy that is desperately needed."
Reform UK's James Evans commented:
"The decision makes a mockery of Welsh taxpayers. Not only will the Welsh Ambulance Service continue to be understaffed and likely continue to miss key life-saving response time targets, but taxpayers are footing the bill."
Jane Dodds, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, described the decision as "a staggering waste of both talent and taxpayers' money," stating it made no sense "at a time when ambulance response times are still far too long and patients are waiting in pain."
A Welsh Conservative spokesperson labelled it "a clear failure of workforce planning by the Welsh Labour government" and called it "completely unacceptable that paramedic students are being left without job opportunities in Wales."
Wales Green Party's Ian Chandler said:
"The Welsh Ambulance Service recruitment freeze is a cut in all but name - when staff leave, they won't be replaced. That means slower response times and greater risk to patients. It's a clear failure of planning by the Labour government. Wales Green Party will ensure workforce plans reflect the needs of the health service and are properly resourced."
