"Delivering for Young People" is one of Wycombe District Council's priorities of its Community Plan and Amersham & Wycombe College is helping the council meet this objective with its apprenticeship programme for students.

“The relationship with Amersham & Wycombe College goes back to 1997 says,” Raji Shanmuganathan, Technical Supervisor at WDC. “It has been a very good partnership in training young apprentices over two year cycles. Between Beth Wiseman, myself and college contacts, we have assisted 18 students along their career paths.”

“At the age of 16 I didn't know what direction to take after school finished,” explains former apprentice Melissa Adams, who now works as a Technical Planning Assistant at WDC. “I didn't want to carry on in full-time education but I didn't want to stop learning either. So when I heard of what Amersham and Wycombe College offered, where you could work and earn money and also still go to college and gain a qualification, I thought it was the best of both worlds.”

“I have been working for Wycombe District Council’s planning department for five years now and am currently studying for an NVQ in planning with the Association of Building Engineers. I started off working in administration, but now I give advice on planning queries and applications.”

Adding further endorsement, Gemma Gearing, another apprentice and WDC employee adds, “The apprenticeship programme has really helped me establish myself in a working environment and enabled me to progress in obtaining a masters degree within WDC. I would recommend this route as it enables you to learn and further your education whilst in employment.”

Some former apprentices have now left WDC, but at least eight remain in full time employment with the council. And the relationship with the college is set to continue as Building Control Services has taken on their first College apprentice - Sean Wilkinson.