OxLEP Skills have announced the significant rollout of our ‘No Limits’ inclusive employability support programme across the West Oxfordshire district – aiming to remove barriers that residents might have in getting into or returning to work, education or training.

The ‘No Limits’ programme is funded in West Oxfordshire until March 2025 by West Oxfordshire District Council, through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and is being delivered by Aspire, a charity that supports people in Oxfordshire facing homelessness and disadvantage to secure fulfilling employment and safe housing.

The ‘No Limits 3’ programme will support West Oxfordshire residents (age 16+) in finding employment or skills training, with this unique initiative offering personalised triage support tailored to each participant’s individual needs.

Experienced triage workers will meet participants in familiar community settings, focusing on their overall health and wellbeing – not just employment or training.

Participants will receive one-on-one support, which may include confidence building, personality assessments, aspiration raising, mentoring, CV writing, application assistance, and interview preparation.

The goal of the initiative is to help participants secure high-quality, long-term, sustainable jobs that align with their needs and interests.

OxLEP’s Apprenticeship Advisor will collaborate with local employers, including SMEs, to optimise the use of the apprenticeship levy for hiring apprentices and fostering inclusivity within their workforce. The advisor will also coordinate with triage workers to identify local apprenticeship vacancies that align with the goals of ‘No Limits’ clients and support applications for suitable opportunities.

The programme also offers support through the provision of travel bursaries for getting to interviews or the first month of a job or apprenticeship, if this is a barrier – and the provision of electronic devices, data and informal digital training programmes for individuals experiencing digital poverty. 

Other barriers to employment, education or training (including green skills) – such as certifications or training requirements – can also be accessed and funded through the programme. 

Sally Andreou – Skills Hub Manager at OxLEP – said: “OxLEP Skills is delighted to announce the continuation of the ‘No Limits’ programme across West Oxfordshire, through this UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation. We are excited to continue our partnership with the fantastic Aspire on this project, which aims to help disadvantaged local people gain secure fulfilling employment and safe housing.  

“It is essential we continue to support those in our communities struggling to gain employment opportunities and support the wider rollout of skills and training provision.”

Giles Hughes – Chief Executive Officer for West Oxfordshire District Council – said: “We are proud to support the No Limits 3 programme, which has been central to boosting local job opportunities.

“By equipping individuals with valuable skills and confidence, this initiative will not only lead to better job prospects but also create a stronger workforce for our local businesses and a more robust local economy. It aligns perfectly with our ongoing efforts to drive economic growth across West Oxfordshire through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.”

The announcement comes following the roll-out of a programme of ‘No Limits’ support elsewhere in the county earlier this month – following the wider success of the project which initially launched in 2022.

The latest set of partner organisations, delivering a skills programme set to have a major impact on employment opportunities, have been announced by the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP).

The £1.2 million Skills Bootcamps programme – part of the Department for Education’s ‘Skills for Life’ activity – is being led in Oxfordshire by OxLEP Skills and is being delivered through to March 2025.

Launched this summer, the programme is all set to give Oxfordshire residents the opportunity to develop a variety of sector-specific skills, helping to fast-track individuals to potential, future interview opportunities and ultimately, paid work.

Skills Bootcamps will particularly boost opportunities for jobseekers, those re-entering work after a career gap, or retirees returning to employment, likely triggered by the cost-of-living crisis.

Skills Bootcamps provides free, flexible courses to its participants – running for up to 16 weeks in some instances – available to residents from across Oxfordshire, subject to the programme’s eligibility criteria.

Several new programme partners have now been announced, delivering a number of further bootcamps as part of the activity and complementing three existing courses already in place since July this year.The new partners and courses being delivered are: 

E-bikes course:

• Activate Learning (cycle maintenance) 

Green construction and green sustainability courses:

• Abingdon & Witney College (plumbing and heating skills, and sustainability in the workplace) 

Hospitality course:

• Kiwi & Yuzu Ltd (hospitality supervision)

These new courses follow the initial batch of Skills Bootcamps opportunities previously announced by OxLEP Skills, focused on health and life sciences and a further green construction-led bootcamp.

Those partners and courses being:

Health and life sciences courses:

• CSR Scientific Training (laboratory assistant or laboratory technician skills)
• Skills4Pharmacy (pharmacy laboratory technician skills) 

Green construction course:

• Reed in Partnership (heat pump skills)

More widely, Skills Bootcamps are set to play a key role across many Oxfordshire businesses and sectors, helping them to address specific skills gaps.

Critical gaps have previously been identified via the county’s Local Skills Improvement Plan.

Nigel Tipple – Chief Executive of OxLEP – said: “We are delighted to be announcing our second set of providers for the Skills Bootcamps programme. 

“The programme builds upon our solid reputation of supporting Oxfordshire residents to reach their potential whilst also helping our business community to benefit from a well-trained, pipeline of talent. 

“Skills Bootcamps will increase the supply of technical qualifications and skills in Oxfordshire, helping to give some of our key industries and our SME community greater resilience during a key economic period. 

“We are delighted to be working with even more delivery partners, each set to provide top learning opportunities for the programme’s participants. 

“Everyone at OxLEP is extremely excited to be leading this programme and look forward to seeing the positive results Skills Bootcamps will have right across Oxfordshire. 

“We believe it will make a significant impact on our county’s workforce and one, very much for the better.”

OxLEP are also keen to ensure the programme continues to meet business need and is asking the county’s business community to play its part, including potentially creating interview opportunities for those successfully completing courses.

Nigel Tipple added: “Ultimately, we want to ensure people are finding their way into employment at the end of their Skills Bootcamps journey – with that in mind, if your business operates in any of the sectors the programme is supporting, we would be delighted to hear from you and understand what career opportunities could arise within your business for our successful individuals.”

Find out more on Skills Bootcamps.

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 award-winning 5 star housebuilder The Hill Group as our headline sponsor.

Here, Ryan Harris, Regional Director at The Hill Group, explains why they have chosen to be the headline sponsor and what apprenticeships mean to them.

Why are you supporting the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards and what it means to you to be the headline sponsor?

As a rapidly growing business, Hill recognises the crucial importance of attracting talented individuals and nurturing their development to ensure our industry’s workforce continues to evolve. We believe that one of the most effective ways to train and develop future professionals is through hands-on apprenticeships, where individuals can acquire technical knowledge and gain practical experience while earning a respectable salary. For this reason, we decided to support the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards as the headline sponsor – to raise awareness of apprenticeship programmes and to commend the hard work and dedication of apprentices in the local region.

Being the headline sponsor means a great deal to us. It allows us to actively contribute to celebrating the achievements of apprentices and to highlight the significant impact they have on the industry. Some of our apprentices are part of the OxLEP Apprenticeship Ambassador Scheme, and we know how powerful it is for apprentices to share their experiences to inspire the next generation and help them make informed career choices. We are proud to recognise and support this through our sponsorship of the awards.

What are you looking for in the overall Apprentice of the Year?

We are seeking an inspirational individual who goes the extra mile – not only demonstrating exceptional commitment to their learning and growth over time but also inspiring the next generation by sharing their experiences. This person should exemplify excellence in their field, show remarkable personal development, and actively contribute to the industry by motivating others.

What would you say to anyone thinking about entering or nominating?

Go for it! Be proud of what you have achieved, and seize this opportunity to celebrate your hard work – whether you are an apprentice or a mentor considering nominating an apprentice. This is a chance to recognise excellence, inspire others in the industry and highlight the value of apprenticeships in building successful careers.

Tell us about your organisation’s experience of apprenticeships

The Hill Group is very passionate about the apprenticeship route. As a business, 17% of our staff have either completed or are currently enrolled in the Hill Management Trainee Programme, achieving degree-level qualifications through an “earn as you learn” role. We were recently awarded Gold status from The 5% Club in recognition of our commitment to apprenticeships.

We also encourage our supply chain to recruit or support apprentices through a shared apprenticeship scheme, recognising how vital on-site experience is for apprentices to achieve their qualifications and build successful careers in our industry.

Hill is excited to be working in the Oxford region and is keen to recruit local people to progress through our company. If you are interested in our Management Trainee Programme or apprenticeship opportunities with our supply chain, please get in touch at trainees@hill.co.uk.

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.

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 Milestone Infrastructure as sponsor of the Special Recognition Award, which will recognise apprentices who have achieved in overcoming significant challenges or barriers to learning or work.

Here, Phil Raven, Operations Manager – Oxfordshire Highways at Milestone Infrastructure, explains why the company has chosen to sponsor this award and what apprenticeships mean to them.

Why are you supporting the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards and why you have chosen to sponsor your particular category?

Milestone Infrastructure is committed to supporting apprentices to develop their careers in civil engineering and the construction industry.

We were delighted to win three Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards in 2024: Employer of the Year, Intermediate Apprentice and overall Apprentice of the Year. It was an excellent awards ceremony and a great opportunity to showcase outstanding individual apprentices and employers as well as the many exciting career paths on offer in diverse industries throughout Oxfordshire.

Milestone recognises the importance of apprenticeships and has been actively involved in supporting and developing several apprenticeships at different levels within Oxfordshire over the last 6 years. Our apprentices are core to our talent development and help us maintain the county’s road network.

2025 is our third year as an Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards category sponsor, once again supporting the Special Recognition Award. This award highlights outstanding individuals who have overcome difficult challenges and delivered exceptional outcomes. We are thrilled to have the chance to sponsor this award again and to recognise individuals who are making the most of their apprenticeship journey.

What are you looking for in the winner of your category?

We are looking for an individual who has shown clear enthusiasm, commitment and initiative to make the most of the opportunity that their apprenticeship has given them, despite facing some difficult challenges. They will demonstrate how their determination and strength of character has enabled them to apply the skills and knowledge they have gained, helping them to progress in their career.

What would you say to anyone thinking about entering or nominating?

Go for it! This is your chance to get recognition for all the hard work you’ve put in and acknowledge the role that your employer and mentors have played in supporting you. It’s also a chance for you to be a role model for others thinking of undertaking a similar apprenticeship. Ask your colleagues or manager for feedback on what they think would make you stand out in your entry.

Tell us about your organisation’s experience of apprenticeships

Milestone have a track record of employing apprentices at all levels within the highway maintenance sector. Within the Oxfordshire Highways Partnership contract, we currently have 16 apprentices at various levels from level 2 up to degree apprenticeship. Many of these apprentices rotate around different parts of the business to get a broad experience of the varied work we do in maintaining Oxfordshire’s roads.

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.

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 Abbott Diabetes Care as sponsor of the Intermediate Apprentice of the Year Award, which will recognises level 2 apprentices who have been in post for at least 9 months and have excelled in their work, learning and development and made exceptional contributions to their workplaces.

Abbott Diabetes Care develop healthcare solutions, from next-generation diagnostic tools that put patients on the path to better health sooner to trusted medicines that help people of all ages stay active and vital.

Here, Shaun Smith, Site Director at Abbott Diabetes Care in Witney, explains why the company has chosen to sponsor the awards and what apprenticeships mean to them.

Why are you supporting the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards and why you have chosen to sponsor your particular category?

We are committed to supporting the next generation of engineers and technicians. We have our own longstanding and successful apprenticeship scheme, so this award fits nicely with our ethos.

We encourage and support people to pursue further education through a variety of routes other than University, with apprenticeships having the advantage of providing on the job skills and experience.

What are you looking for in the winner of your category?

I am looking for individuals that have embraced the opportunity to mix learning and work experience to deepen their knowledge and understanding. Someone that has demonstrated the ability to take their learning and apply it in the workplace. Enthusiasm and a commitment to make the best of their skills.

What would you say to anyone thinking about entering or nominating?

Whenever you enter anything, think about what you offer that maybe no-one else does. That way, win or lose you know you have searched deep in exploring what you offer and where you add potential value. You have given yourself your best shot at winning.

If you don’t win, you have enhanced your learning by networking with those in your field.

Tell us about your organisation’s experience of apprenticeships

We have employed apprentices at ADC for over 20 years with many of our earliest apprentices remaining in the business. I have mentored and supported them in many ways during their time in the business. Our apprentices help move our business forward. I continue to advocate them in our business and am actively looking at how we can expand our scheme to take more.

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.

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 IST INTECH as sponsor for the seventh year running of the Shining Star Award, which will recognise individuals who have made outstanding progress in their career since completing their apprenticeship and have the potential to achieve even more.

IST INTECH is a pioneering designer and developer of ultra-violet (UV) curing solutions for ink jet printing, as well as other emerging technologies. Here, Simon Roberts (pictured), Managing Director at IST INTECH, explains why the company has chosen to sponsor this award and what apprenticeships mean to them.

Why are you supporting the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards and why you have chosen to sponsor your particular category?

We are delighted to be sponsoring the Shining Star category for the seventh year in a row.

IST INTECH has been a long-time supporter not only of the Oxfordshire Apprenticeships Awards but of apprenticeships in general. We have always looked at apprenticeships as a meaningful and rewarding way of finding your chosen career and have rolled out various programs within our business over the years. Indeed over half our senior leadership team are former apprentices or vocationally trained, including our CEO, a record we are very proud of.

What are you looking for in the winner of your category?

We will be looking for individuals who are passionate about their chosen careers and about selecting an apprenticeship as a route into their career. We will also be looking for evidence that they have clearly positively contributed and been a benefit to their respective employer(s) or business.

The ideal finalist will be someone who has been involved in externally promoting apprenticeships (after completing their own); who can articulate a clear vision of their future career development, including continuing with (or planning to continue with) further training and professional development, as well as a passion for what they do and in encouraging and mentoring others.

What would you say to anyone thinking about entering or nominating?

Go for it and please don’t be shy. We love hearing people talking positively about their job role and how they found their chosen career and would like you to share your story in the hope of inspiring others (who have yet to enter the world of work) about how taking an apprenticeship is a really rewarding and meaningful experience.

Tell us about your organisation’s experience of apprenticeships

We have had extensive participation with local schools, businesses and the wider community in mentoring and championing the Oxfordshire Apprenticeships programme.

This has included offering work experience and careers advice to young people, ensuring that they understand the value added that an apprenticeship can bring them and why businesses offer them. We also meet with the local business community at workshops or seminars; detailing the benefits of, and offering support on, how to implement successful apprenticeship programmes.

We have in the past utilised apprenticeships as a means of recruitment within our organisation, as well as operating a constant program of internal training and mentoring to ensure our workforce remains ‘world class’.

This internal culture has been led by our CEO. The Shining Star Award and its criteria fits the ethos IST INTECH promotes around apprenticeships and further training.

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.

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 Oxford North as a sponsor of the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2025. Oxford North is a new innovation district for the city, which will deliver one million sq ft of labs and workspaces, 480 new homes, hotel, nursery, amenities, three new public parks and significant investment in travelling around sustainably.

Here, Olivia Lane-Nott, Brand & Communications Consultant, explains why Oxford North are supporting the awards.

Why are you supporting the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards?

This is Oxford North’s fourth year supporting the awards and we’re proud to once again be a sponsor of OxLEP’s brilliant initiative supporting companies and apprentices across the county.

We’re sponsoring because we have a passionate belief in the value that apprenticeships can create in increasing social mobility and supporting businesses to grow.

We are busy on-site creating a new place with parks, amenities, lab space and new homes.

We’re proud that, so far, the project has created more than 1,400 new jobs and 29 new apprenticeships.

2025 is a big year for us as we will be opening and we continue to create opportunities for people across the county.

We’re proud to support these awards again to help celebrate those companies who are investing now in future talent.

What would you say to anyone thinking about entering or nominating?

Absolutely do – these awards are a celebration of the apprentices and all that they achieve and the companies who are investing in such future talent.

Tell us about your organisation’s experience of apprenticeships

We have an ambitious Community Employment Plan with our construction partners which, for the project’s phase 1, aims to create 55 apprenticeships, 37 work experience opportunities and 680 hours of volunteering, in addition to career events, school engagement and site tours.

The apprentices bring energy and fresh perspectives to our project and the opportunity to grow their careers in construction.

In the future, as Oxford North starts to welcome the first science and tech companies, there will exciting new opportunities for apprenticeships in the businesses who will be based with us.

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.

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 Oxford Brookes University as sponsor of the Training Provider Individual Award, which will recognise individuals who go the extra mile to support and encourage apprentices and enable them to achieve to their potential.

Here, Quin Vermeulen, Head of UK Partnerships & Apprenticeships, explains why they have chosen to sponsor this award and what apprenticeships mean to them.

Why are you supporting the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards and why you have chosen to sponsor your particular category?

Oxford Brookes University is at the center of supporting employers in the Oxford region, through bespoke education and training. Our provision currently includes 8 different degree apprenticeships, delivered across both faculties and we are in a phase of expansion, reaching out to an ever-growing number of large enterprises, as well as SMEs, who value our expertise in a range of sectors and disciplines.

We sponsor the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards to raise awareness of the positive contribution apprentices can make to their organisations and to show how training providers such as Oxford Brookes can support apprentices and their employers in making a difference to the local and national economy.

We are sponsoring the Training Provider Individual Award to recognise the significant impact individual practitioners have on the success of an apprentice in their workplace and educational setting.

What are you looking for in the winner of your category?

We pride ourselves on setting high standards and building personal relationships and we will be looking for a standout individual who clearly demonstrates these standards as well as ‘going the extra mile’ to drive individual success through personal communication, individual additional support & effectively managing personal relationships for example.

What would you say to anyone thinking about entering or nominating?

The Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards event is a fantastic way for everyone in the county to recognise and celebrate the achievements of individuals and organisations who take part in the apprenticeship journey.

Tell us about your organisation’s experience of apprenticeships

Oxford Brookes University has delivered degree apprenticeships since 2018, and has expanded provision to 8 different degree apprenticeships, which include Nursing Associate, Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Community Nurse Specialist Practitioner, Senior Learner, Senior People Professional, Architect, Chartered Town Planner and PG Engineer.

Building on the University’s strengths, which traditionally included a strong approach to integrated vocational learning, the apprenticeship programmes are designed to bring maximum impact to the businesses we work with.
We recently achieved Ofsted ‘good’, with ‘Outstanding’ for our non-apprenticeship, but closely related, ESFA funded Art & Design programme.

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.

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 Grundon as sponsor of the Apprenticeship Ambassador Award, which will recognise individuals who go the extra mile to champion and promote apprenticeships in Oxfordshire..

Grundon provides a total waste management service for the collection, treatment, recycling, recovery and disposal of all non-hazardous waste streams, including general waste, mixed recycling, paper cups, confidential waste and food waste.

Here, Bev Capewell, Head of HR and & Addisen Gregory, L&D Coordinator, explain why Grundon have chosen to sponsor this award and what apprenticeships mean to them.

Why are you supporting the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards and why you have chosen to sponsor your particular category?

Over the years, Grundon have actively increased the number of quality apprenticeships within our business, and by supporting the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards, this demonstrates our wider commitment to the development of new skills and experiences that can be offered through apprenticeships, not just within our business, but in the wider local areas in which we operate.

We have chosen to sponsor the Apprenticeship Ambassador Award as we are an advocate of apprenticeships and see ambassadorial roles key to driving more people to consider an apprenticeship.

What are you looking for in the winner of your category?

In recognising the winner of the Apprenticeship Ambassador Award, we are seeking an individual who exemplifies excellence, passion and unwavering dedication to apprenticeships as a whole. This person stands out not only for their own achievements but for their ability to inspire and uplift those apprentices around them.

What would you say to anyone thinking about entering or nominating?

Apprenticeships offer a great opportunity to learn new skills, which can be actively applied and demonstrated within the workplace. A nomination or entry to the awards is a great way to showcase and celebrate the progress you / your apprentice has made within their role and how they have progressed so far in their role.

Tell us about your organisation’s experience of apprenticeships

Grundon have long utilised apprenticeships within our vehicle workshops, our sales teams, administration roles and engineers. Along with two closed Team Leader Level 3 cohorts. We have apprentices coming into the business as new colleagues and we have created apprenticeship roles to help further develop and upskill our current workforce and future leaders.

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.

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 The Engineering Trust as sponsor of the Skills Champion Award, which will recognise individuals who make a significant contribution to promoting apprenticeships and other vocational training routes, such as school/college careers professionals or teachers, business volunteers, work coaches and Enterprise Advisers.

Here, Mark Vingoe, CEO of The Engineering Trust, explains why the Trust has chosen to sponsor this award and what apprenticeships mean to them.

Why are you supporting the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards and why you have chosen to sponsor your particular category?

The Engineering Trust has been promoting engineering apprenticeships and training in Oxfordshire and surrounding areas since its inception 40 years ago. We work within schools/colleges and organisations focusing on raising awareness about engineering apprenticeships. Our aim is to widen the landscape of apprenticeship opportunities available and to fill skill gaps for engineering businesses.

The Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards provides an excellent platform to showcase the remarkable contributions made by businesses and individuals who are driving career development via apprenticeships and vocational training. Through our sponsorship, we aim to support and recognise the exceptional work being done to develop a skilled workforce in Oxfordshire.

The Skills Champion Award complements our mission and is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the hard work of individuals who provide information, advice and guidance to those seeking their next step in their education and/or career.

What are you looking for in the winner of your category?

We’re looking for someone who listens to and tailors their guidance to each person they advise. They will have the enthusiasm and drive to provide opportunities for those they work with, promoting, guiding or enabling the development of skills.

They should be able to give examples of who and how they have helped people find the right career or training to develop their skills.

What would you say to anyone thinking about entering or nominating?

There is a lot of great work already being done by some dedicated people within a whole range of organisations. Those who give brilliant advice and guidance are notoriously bad at celebrating their own success and they should be valued and recognised as ‘Skills Champion’. Such individuals just see it as ‘part of their job’, when in fact, they have a profound impact steering people into a career or training that sets them up for life. If you are that person, put your hand up and enter yourself. If you know that person, then nominate them as they probably just think ‘it’s just what I do’.

Tell us about your organisation’s experience of apprenticeships

The Engineering Trust was set up as a charity with the goal of promoting careers in engineering and manufacturing. Much of the work we do is in schools and colleges, working with career advisors, teachers and students providing information, advice and guidance about the routes into engineering. The Engineering Trust fulfils its charitable objectives through this work and via its subsidiary company Engineering Trust Training Ltd (ETT).

ETT delivers engineering, manufacturing and maintenance apprenticeships within Oxfordshire and surrounding counties. The Engineering Skills Academy (TESA), our training facility in Bicester, focusses on further enhancing the quality of apprenticeship delivery and offers local employers a provision dedicated to training their existing and future workforce. ETT works with a diverse set of companies designing bespoke apprenticeship programmes that are beneficial for all involved.

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.