Electronic Precinct - February 1999

European Role for languages graduate

Philippa Wood with Louise Ellman MP.

When Philippa Wood applied for a place on the Language Learning Centre's Equip programme, she little expected her dream of working for the European Parliament to come true. However, she achieved just that, when, just before Christmas, she landed a job in Brussels working for Merseyside MEP, Richard Corbett.

Although well qualified with a modern languages degree and a masters in Public Administration, Philippa found herself in need of experience to fulfil her ambitions. So she applied for a place on the Equip programme at the Language Learning Centre. This programme, open to Merseyside based language g raduates, provides an intensive 3 month commercial skills training course, followed by a 6 month work placement with local companies or organisations.

Philippa's placement was in the constituency office of Liverpool Riverside MP, Louise Ellman. This was a perfect training ground for Philippa, who, according to the MP, "made a major contribution and fitted in well with the dynamic and ever changing nature of the office".