The ninth annual Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards will once again shine a spotlight on our county’s apprentices – and the businesses and organisations, training providers and schools that support their journey – recognising the huge contribution they make to our county’s economy at a special awards ceremony on Thursday 22 May 2025 at Blenheim Palace.
We’re delighted to introduce High Spec Composites as a sponsor of the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2025.
Here, Sarah Jaycock, Co-founder and Executive Director, explains why they have chosen to sponsor the awards and what apprenticeships mean to them.
Why are you supporting the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards?
High Spec has been a passionate supporter of the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards, both as a committee member and sponsor since the awards launched in 2017. Having grown our small business through apprenticeships we understand the great benefits apprentices can bring to a company and are keen to share our positive experiences with a wider network whilst celebrating star apprentices throughout Oxfordshire.
What would you say to anyone thinking about entering or nominating?
Over the years we have been applicants, finalists, winners, sponsors, headline sponsors and committee members when it comes to apprenticeship awards – and we’d strongly encourage anyone thinking about entering to do so!
The application process itself can be incredibly rewarding, regardless of how the application progresses; it can provide the perfect opportunity for both businesses and individuals to appreciate and reflect on the value of their apprenticeship/apprenticeship provisions and to celebrate how far they have come.
For those who reach finalist stages, or become winners, you’ll also have an amazing award which can benefit you for many years to come!
Tell us about your organisation’s experience of apprenticeships
High Spec Composites is a keen advocate of apprenticeships having grown the business through apprenticeship programmes since establishment in 2010.
We have an extremely high success rate with completion of our level 2 and level 3 qualifications and all our apprentices have been offered full-time positions within High Spec Composites at the end of their learning.
Some of our more ambitious apprentices have progressed though the business into leadership and management roles and others, with support from High Spec, have launched into exciting roles within F1.
We have found employing apprentices is not only cost-effective solution for expanding a small business, but also the perfect opportunity to train individuals to bespoke business needs.
About the awards
The awards will be open for entries and nominations until midnight on the evening of Monday 24 February 2025. Finalists will be announced during Oxfordshire Apprenticeships Hour (hashtag #OAHour) across the OxLEP Skills social media channels from 13:00 on Thursday 24 April 2025. Winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony on Thursday 22 May 2025.
If you would like the opportunity to support the awards, please get in touch.
Join us for Oxfordshire Apprenticeships Hour (#OAHour) on X @OxonApprentice from 13:00-14:00 every Thursday for latest on the Awards and join in the conversation using the hashtag #OAAwards2025.