National Apprenticeship Week aims to highlight the exceptional work being done by employers and apprentices across the country.
The 18th annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships will take place from 10 to 16 February 2025. The theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2025 is ‘Skills for Life’; reflecting on how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career and businesses to develop a talented workforce that is equipped with future-ready skills.
Apprenticeships Webinar for Parents and Carers
11 February, 18:00-19:00
https://careersliveuk.com/partner/oxfordshire-careers-hub
We are teaming up with Careers Live to run an apprenticeships awareness broadcast for parents and carers (students are encouraged to attend too!).
Parents/carers will be able to hear an overview of apprenticeships, watch Oxfordshire apprentices talking about their experiences, hear the employer perspective and ask any questions via a live chat with the speakers. Click on ‘Upcoming events’ and scroll down to register.
Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2025
The Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2025 will be open for entries and nominations throughout National Apprenticeship Week. With categories for current and former apprentices, employers, schools and training providers, the awards is a fantastic way to recognise and celebrate apprenticeship success in Oxfordshire. The closing date is Monday 24 February at midnight.
Events and open days
Details of events happening across Oxfordshire during National Apprenticeship Week 2025:
Engineering Employer Open Evenings
10 to 13 February
www.theengineeringtrust.org/apprenticeships/naw25
The Engineering Trust have arranged open evenings with four fantastic Oxfordshire engineering employers. Follow the link for details of each session, including how to register.
- 10 February – XDS Oxford & Ercol Furniture, Princes Risborough
- 11 February – AFE, Carterton & Norbar Torque Tools, Banbury
- 12 February – Barrus, Bicester & Navtech Radar, Wantage
- 13 February – Fortesque Zero, Kidlington & Lucy Electric, Thame
Timber & Trowels: Pathway to Apprenticeships
11 February, 08:30 – 10:30
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/timber-trowels-pathway-to-apprenticeships-tickets-1106311119339
If you work in the timber or trowel trades and have been thinking about recruiting an apprentice, this is an opportunity to visit the City of Oxford College Blackbird Leys Technology Campus to see the brick and carpentry departments and find out about the apprenticeships offered at Activate Learning.
Construction Employer Open Day
12 February, 10:00 – 16:00
https://naw.appawards.co.uk/event/construction-employer-open-day
ACE Training in Kidlington are holding an open day for employers on 12 February. Join them for a tour and a chat about all things construction apprenticeships, including bricklaying, carpentry, bench joinery and property maintenance. The team will be on hand to answer all of your questions from funding to finals (end point assessment).
SFTC Apprenticeship Open Evening
12 February, 17:00 – 19:00
STFC are holding an apprenticeship open evening at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. This is an opportunity to discover the diverse range of apprenticeship opportunities available in fields like engineering and computing, meet current apprentices, chat with staff and get a feel for what life is like at this cutting-edge facility.
Milton Park Apprenticeships Event
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/milton-park-apprenticeships-event-tickets-1137818749509
13 February, 12:30 – 13:45
This event is for businesses based on Milton Park that already offer apprenticeships or are considering doing so. Our Apprenticeship Advisor Leah Bryan will be on hand to give advice and support.
Coming soon…
NHS Careers Cafe and Apprenticeship Event
3 March, 16:00-18:30
https://careersfest2025twilightsession.eventbrite.co.uk
This event from Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust at the John Radcliffe Hospital is for Year 10-13 students to meet a range of healthcare professionals, explore NHS career pathways and participate in hands-on practical sessions. There will be a talk on work experience and apprenticeships at 17:00 and a careers question time at 18:00.
Careers Fest Parent/Carer Twilight Session
19 March, 16:00-19:00
https://careersfest2025twilightsession.eventbrite.co.uk
Oxfordshire Careers Hub is hosting the region’s most anticipated and exciting careers event. Careers Fest will take place at The Kassam Stadium Conference & Events Centre. We invite all parents/carers of students from Oxfordshire schools and colleges to come and meet the major players in the local labour market at a twilight session on 19 March. There are slots from 16:00-17:30 or 17:30-19:00.
This is an opportunity to meet a range of employers, further education colleges, universities and training providers. This year we will welcome more than 70 exhibitors offering information, advice and guidance on future pathways and careers from a varied range of sectors.
It’s a fantastic chance for parents/carers to talk careers with their young person and feel better informed about their options for when they leave school or college.
Apprenticeship support for employers
Whether you’re looking to take on your first apprentice, develop your apprenticeship scheme, or would like some advice and support with making best use of apprenticeship levy funds, our Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Advisors Leah Bryan and Nikki Cooper are here to help! Visit our apprenticeship support page or contact skills@oxfordshirelep.com for fully funded, impartial advice and guidance.
Support with finding work or an apprenticeship
If you are 18 or over and would like some advice and support with finding and applying for jobs and apprenticeships, our fully funded OxGROW virtual mentoring platform is here to help! You can connect with business professionals, who have volunteered as mentors, to guide you through the process.
Join the conversation
Follow @OxonApprentice Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and @OxLEP Skills on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok and join in the conversation using the hashtags #NAW2025 and #SkillsForLife.