THE first town planning technical support apprenticeships in the country have been completed at Chichester College.

To celebrate the occasion, the college brought together all its town planning apprentices for a special afternoon to recognise their accomplishments.

This entry level programme was introduced at the college in 2015 with five apprentices embarking on the scheme developed by the Royal Town Planning Institute and the Construction Industry Council.

Jamie Alley, Nicholas Whittington, Greg Anderson, Alex Carruthers and Andrew Pommells were the first five to sign up and completed their course in 2017, followed by 20 further apprentices completing their studies this year.

Since then the programme has grown massively with more than 40 town planning apprentices from more than 30 employers from around the country – including Derbyshire and Suffolk – studying at Chichester College to date.

Jamie, who has gone on to university to complete his degree qualification, said: “The apprenticeship experience we had was invaluable.

“Without this, I wouldn’t have gone on to university and I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in.

“From day one we were working with professionals, getting real experience and employed in a job that without the apprenticeship I wouldn’t have been able to do at that stage.”