WPA

Tracy Sheen

Personnel Services Manager

As a not-for-profit private health insurer helping customers fund their healthcare, WPA is all about treating customers as we would expect to be treated ourselves.

And that extends to the apprentices it puts through Richard Huish College.

Tracy Sheen, WPA’s Personnel Services Manager, says that apart from the benefits apprentices bring to the organisation, WPA particularly wanted to recruit modern apprentices because they are an untapped resource of talent.

“It is all about giving people their first opportunity towards a successful path to the future,” she says. 

And she’s happy to share some of the credit for their transformation with Richard Huish College.

“The college and WPA share common philosophies in helping people, in this instance, get the greatest start in life. 

“We could not do this without the well-established working relationship we have with Richard Huish College.”

She describes her involvement with the apprentices as one of the most enjoyable things she’s done. 

“They’re making us think about how we do things and how we train and help nurture people.

“They’re mentored by me, and our managers meet all of them regularly to check how their studies and 
on-the-job skills are progressing. We’re incredibly proud to see how they’ve developed in the last year. 

“We’re teaching them a work ethic as well. They have to work hard but in return they’re well looked after. 

“We have taken the decision not to recruit any additional apprentices this year as our loyalty is to the three apprentices we already have. We’ve embarked on this journey and want to see it through. 

“As a result of this commitment, we have just extended their contract so they can progress to the next level of their studies.” 

One of WPA’s apprentices, 19-year-old Elliot Dyer, has particularly enjoyed the journey, too.

“I like the idea of gaining experience and techniques while you get qualifications,” he says. “A lot of companies do look for qualifications on CVs.

“WPA is very supportive of my learning at college as well as at work – and that’s a big advantage.

“Apprenticeships help you gain knowledge of a workplace and ease you into working life. They’re the best of both worlds.”

Richard Huish College