Oxford planning apprentices recruited to full time roles

Four graduate apprentices who completed a two-year training programme with Oxford City Council’s planning department have been offered permanent roles.  

John Van Veghel, Juliet Evans, James Paterson and Sarah Chesshyre (pictured) were recruited by the council in 2016.  

According to the local authority, the graduate scheme was set up in response to the difficulties it has experienced in finding and retaining suitably qualified planning staff.  

The four recruits' training combined postgraduate study with practical working experience in the various sections of the council’s planning service, from planning policy, urban design, heritage and trees, to planning enforcement and development management, the council said. 

They have also completed a two-year MSc in Spatial Planning with Oxford Brookes University while working at the council.  

The four are now joining the council as qualified, full time planning assistants.  

The council said that it is now looking to recruit a further two graduate trainees as part of this year’s cohort of apprentices.

Picture shows (left to right): Juliet Evans, Oxford City Council's head of planning Patsy Dell, Sarah Chesshyre and James Paterson. 

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