Keen to start a career in EMS? Don’t fall victim to these scams

The latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) reveals that almost half (45.8%) of South Africa’s youth who are seeking work are unable to find jobs.

As the unemployment crisis continues to deepen, these desperate job seekers are increasingly becoming targets for scammers.

For young South Africans hoping to build meaningful careers in healthcare and emergency medical services (EMS), Ryan Wills, Training Manager for Emergency Medical Care at Mediclinic Southern Africa, warns of fraudulent job and training scams designed at exploiting them.

“Job seekers need to be particularly wary of adverts offering a fully paid bursary or learnership opportunities that include a monthly stipend or salary,” says Wills, who confirms that ER24 does not offer any learnerships or internships for emergency medical care qualifications.

“Many of these adverts typically include a large number of vacancies, which should immediately raise suspicion,” he adds.

Spot the signs to avoid fraud

Another major warning sign, according to Wills, is being asked to click suspicious links, share personal information, or make upfront payments. “There is no legitimate training institution that would require large payments upfront for applications. While some training providers may charge an application fee, this usually does not exceed R500.”

He believes scammers are successful because they prey on the hopes and financial pressures facing younger South Africans. “Young people are eager to improve their circumstances and obtain formal qualifications to do so. Unfortunately, tertiary education is expensive and so an advert offering the attainment of a formal qualification at little to no cost can be very attractive.”

How to safely apply for opportunities

Rather than relying on information contained in social media adverts or WhatsApp messages, Wills says aspiring EMS professionals should independently verify institutions and training opportunities through official channels. “A legitimate path into EMS typically involves applying for one of three recognised qualifications: a higher certificate, diploma, or a bachelor’s degree in emergency medical care. These programmes are generally offered through universities of technology, provincial EMS colleges, or a limited number of accredited private institutions.”

Mediclinic Higher Education offers both a Diploma in Emergency Care and a Higher Certificate in Emergency Medical Care. To ensure that any job adverts you come across are legitimate, including those from ER24, candidates are encouraged to verify opportunities directly through ER24’s official channels, including its social media platforms and careers pages, which can be accessed via this link.

If someone believes they may have encountered a scam, Wills advises them to stop engaging immediately.

“Block further correspondence, do not pay any additional monies, and report the scam to the South African Police Service.”

Where passion and practicality meet

For young South Africans passionate about emergency medical care, Wills says the safest first step is to contact a recognised learning institution directly. “Reach out to an accredited university or college and ask to speak to a career advisor or departmental representative about legitimate training opportunities available.

“Above all, take your time to verify any opportunity before committing,” he adds. “A legitimate career path in EMS requires patience and diligence, and any offer that feels rushed or too good to be true should be treated with extreme caution,” he concludes.