Year one BTEC Fashion students worked on an ethical fashion project entitled ‘Double Denim’ inspired by British Eco designer Gary Harvey, the aim of which was to design and produce garments from recycled denim.  On sending photographs of student work to event organiser Antoinette Saxer, she was so impressed she selected five pieces to appear on the evening catwalk during the prestigious London Fashion Week event. 

Student work selected for the catwalk was produced by Steven Alley, Julie Courtney, Lucy Anstee, Annabelle King and Sophie Butler.

The student’s work was given exhibition space at London House as part of an ethical fashion emporium which also showcased the college’s fashion courses.  Fifteen students from BTEC Year 1, 2 and Foundation were selected to take part in a valuable work experience day, working backstage at the busy runway show, working with a professional stylist and dressing the models.  Students were able to liaise with professionals in the fashion world and network for any future internships or work experience opportunities.

Course tutor Kathryn Lycett commented: “This has been a valuable experience for our students, not to mention something FANTASTIC to add to their CVs, but also an honour to be invited to take part in such a prestigious event.”

Held at the Crowne Plaza, Marlow, the occasion brought together employers, apprentices and businesses keen to know more about the college’s apprenticeship scheme.  The college principal Gill Clipson and members of the apprenticeship team were on hand and it was a great networking opportunity and a chance for potential employers to find out more about taking on an apprentice.

“Employers and apprentices are really recognising the value of closely linking training to work,” said Ms Clipson.  “An apprenticeship allows an organisation to invest in training their workforce without reducing productivity.”

The college has seen a twofold increase in the number of students studying apprenticeships in the last year – from 178 to 374.

Apprenticeships are constantly evolving to meet industry needs and Amersham & Wycombe College is already running new schemes in subject areas as diverse as digital media and costume design.

To speak to the college about apprenticeships, please call the Work-Based Training Co-ordinator on 01494 585304.

Employer and employee quotes:

IFCO Systems UK Ltd (High Wycombe office)

Apprentice: Sophie Ricketts, NVQ Level 2 Business Administration
“I finished my basic apprenticeship in Business Administration in November 2011 and started my Advanced Apprenticeship straight after.  I am hoping to progress to a foundation degree in Business Management upon completion.  I’ve learnt so much over the course of my studies and in particular communicating with customers and how different parts of the business impact on each other.  It’s really good to go straight from school into an apprenticeship as you earn while you learn and I would recommend this route to anyone.

I started here 14 months ago as an office junior and now I am running accounts for the company with major clients and there is a strong possibility I may get sponsored to do my Foundation Degree!”

Employer: Sharron Hambelton, Office Manager, IFCO Systems UK Ltd
“The Apprenticeship scheme gives us an opportunity as a local employer, to give something back to the community, with the benefit of us having a young, enthusiastic employee who we can mould to suit the requirements of the job.  At the end of the apprenticeship, Sophie will have enjoyed the experience, gained a qualification and have a permanent full time job.”

Chiltern Railways (High Wycombe)

Apprentice: Hayley McCarthy, NVQ Level 2 Customer Service
“When my Manager first approached me and asked me if I would like to do a Customer Service Apprenticeship, I was a bit unsure, but then I realised it could be really useful. I have finished the course now and am waiting for my results and have to say I can really recommend doing an Apprenticeship.  It gives you extra skills which really help you in your job; it helps you really focus and gives you the extra knowledge you need to improve your performance. It has helped me to understand exactly what is involved in giving excellent customer service and its importance for the company as a whole. What I really like about an Apprenticeship is that you learn things which you can immediately put into practice, plus the course part of the training helps you understand the whole company as well as your role in it.”

Apprentice: Tony Ridgley, NVQ Level 2 Customer Service
“I hadn’t done any form of studying since university, so I was a bit nervous to start with, but the tutor from the college explained it so well that I decided to go for it. I am really glad I did – you need to be committed to do it, but the rewards are really good; I am proud of what I am achieving in my qualification and in my job.”

Employer: Rob Munday, Chiltern Railways Manager
“The college approached us initially to offer their services and, as excellent customer service forms an integral part of Chiltern Railways’ approach, we jumped at the chance to offer the Apprenticeship to our customer facing employees. The training increases their knowledge, but it is also an important validation of our employees’ status as professionals whose work is highly valued by the company – although the NVQ is hard work, the team finds it really motivating. From a company standpoint an Apprenticeship is really good value for money; it is a really effective way of improving our employee’s skills without losing productivity.”

The former secondary school, which was built in 1969, has been the subject of a major transformation over the winter and will be completed this spring with three new classroom blocks, an impressive entrance and a brand new construction skills centre. 

Mr Grieve was interested to see how the campus was being rebuilt and went on a tour of the facilities to find out for himself. 

Whilst inspecting the classrooms he got to talk to students studying a BTEC in Public Services who had been invited to the House of Commons the day previously. 

Students put several questions to Mr Grieve regarding transport and the armed forces. All received full and considered responses. 

Commenting after his visit, Gill Clipson, Principal & Chief Executive for Amersham & Wycombe College said: “We were delighted Mr Grieve was able to see for himself the major changes taking place on campus. He was genuinely excited about what the new facilities will mean for vocational education in the region and that, with the government’s current emphasis on apprenticeships, we will be in an even better position to deliver them.”

The visit included an interview with media student Lauren Rooney, 18, in the college’s radio studio, in which the MP was questioned about the controversial HS2 rail project.

 The Amersham campus, which Mrs Gillan visited on Friday (Jan 20), is experiencing a huge surge in demand for its A-levels and vocational courses, preparing people for a range of careers including business, broadcast, art, design, acting and dance.

 Gill Clipson, the college’s principal, said:  “Everyone enjoyed the visit immensely. Cheryl spent a lot of time with everyone she met, hearing about their experience of college. She was very open during her radio interview, which was conducted as one of many exercises we organise to ensure students get a very direct experience of the real world in the careers for which they are training.”

The Amersham and Chesham MP saw some of the skills and technology used by students, including motion capture and filming equipment in the media department, as well dropping in on the college’s theatre, which is used for performances open to the general public.
She also enjoyed a tour of the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy, where the college is nurturing some of the business leaders of tomorrow.

 Mrs Gillan said: “I really enjoy visiting the college, with which I’ve had many dealings with over the years. Vocational education is so important to us all.  It’s important to those who take part because they will have the skills which greatly improve their prospects in life and it’s important to the rest of us because a well-trained workforce is one of the vital ingredients of economic recovery.”

“Women in the construction industry are forced to wear oversized and shapeless health and safety jackets when visiting developments, which is why we asked the Fashion and Clothing Diploma students at Amersham & Wycombe College to help us design a more feminine version,” explains Elaine Stratford, sales director for Persimmon Homes Thames Valley.

The project was launched during London Fashion Week (16^th – 20^th September) and the 11 students from the College have been tasked to design and produce a prototype version.

The collection will be previewed early this year by the female team at Persimmon Homes’ at a catwalk show at the company’s nearby Turner’s Field development in Little Chalfont.

Fashion course tutor, Kathryn Lycett said: “It’s great to work on a project that is really going to make a difference to an industry. Our students are  excited about their designs and especially as their creation could become standard work wear for women in the housing sector.”