Pictured: Last Autumn – with the support of Enterprise Oxfordshire’s Apprenticeship Advisors – In Friendship Home Care and Support Services were awarded £14,000 from the University of Oxford to support the full apprenticeship training costs of two Level 5 Leaders in Adult Care.

Enterprise Oxfordshire – formerly OxLEP’s – Social Contract programme sees a number of key initiatives that were set up initially to address the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, including unemployment, barriers to employment, education and training – and has been extended through to September 2025.

Oxfordshire Skills Hub – the skills strand of Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP) are excited to announce the extension of their Social Contract Programme to September 2025 – including their popular Apprenticeship Levy Pledge Initiative.

The initiative – which has seen just under £5m in pledges to date – supports apprenticeship levy-paying businesses within the county to commit their unused funds to support other Oxfordshire businesses to take on apprentices. To date, just under £4m of these funds have been optimised to facilitate new apprenticeship starts within the county.

The Social Contract – originally funded until the end of March this year, sees an extension, following the success of the programme and the commitment to furthering the outcomes already achieved by the key initiatives in place.

The Social Contract programme is a £1.7million programme of activity funded by the government’s Contain Outbreak Management Fund via Oxfordshire County Council and led by Enterprise Oxfordshire.  

Employers in the county with an annual pay bill of £3m+ pay 0.5% of this as an apprenticeship levy and can pledge up to 50% of their levy funds annually. Levy can be pledged to Oxfordshire based small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs and other Levy paying business who have fully utilised their funds), charities and social enterprises to help fund apprenticeship training and assessment.

The programme’s Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Advisors offer support and guidance, which includes helping employers to unlock their apprenticeship levy and enabling smaller organisations to access unused levy in order to start or develop their apprenticeship schemes. This support is already pre-funded so is at no cost to the employer. 

Enterprise Oxfordshire are urging apprenticeship levy-paying businesses, both national and within the county to pledge their unused levy, following the extension to the scheme – and reminding those that have already pledged that it is possible to re-pledge further funds.

SMEs in the county that are interested in taking on an apprentice or using apprenticeships to upskill their existing teams or fill skills gaps are also urged to engage with the programme, as they may be eligible to receive available transferred funds.

Helen Brind – Head of Business and Skills at Enterprise Oxfordshire, said: ‘We are thrilled to announce the extension to such an important initiative – and also highlight that now is most definitely the time for businesses to engage and pledge their unused levy – before it’s too late.

‘The initiative averages around £1.25m going back into the Oxfordshire economy each year – which showcases how beneficial programmes such as the Social Contract are in changing individual lives but also contributing to the wider benefit of whole geographies.

‘Apprenticeships are a hugely powerful tool in widening the range of skills in an organisation, bringing in new ideas, or simply upskilling your existing team and retaining that talent – to receive this funding is also a no-brainer in terms of opportunity for smaller businesses within the county.

‘We’d urge all businesses who may be eligible to get in touch with our Apprenticeship Advisors today.’

For more information on the Apprenticeship Levy Pledge Initiative – and to find out if your business could be eligible to pledge or receive funds – contact our Skills and Employability Advisors at: skills@enterpriseoxfordshire.com.

Pictured (left to right) are: Sarah Marlow, Skills Hub Deputy Manager; Ryan Harris, Regional Director at The Hill Group (headline sponsor); Sarah Jaycock, Co-founder and Executive Director of High Spec Composites (awards host and committee member); Simon Newton, Managing Director of Darke & Taylor (awards host and committee member) and Tiffany Hickman, People Apprentice (Learning & Development) at Blenheim Palace.

The key Oxfordshire celebration – now in its ninth year – is set to celebrate a milestone of over 100 winners announced over its duration at the awards ceremony, which is taking place on Thursday 22 May.

Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP) have today (Thursday 24 April) announced the finalists of this year’s much anticipated Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards, taking place on Thursday 22 May at the iconic ‘Long Library’ within the world-renowned Blenheim Palace.

A total of 36 finalists – including apprentices, businesses and representatives from a variety of employers and education providers – now eagerly await finding out whether they will be announced as winners at the awards ceremony, which will once again shine a light on apprenticeship successes across Oxfordshire.

The event – organised by Enterprise Oxfordshire, with the support of a business-led awards committee – is set to bring together those who are starting or developing their career as apprentices, companies committed to apprenticeship provision and those driving-forward such opportunities in the county.

The awards will recognise work-based learning excellence across a breadth of sectors, with a particularly diverse range of industries identified across finalists this year including construction, adult social care, hairdressing, architecture, IT and youth work.

Many of the sectors represented by finalists of this year’s awards have also been identified as key sectors within the county’s Local Skills Improvement Plan, highlighting the correlation between apprenticeships in those sectors and employment uptake in these industries.

This year’s event will not only recognise individual apprentices, but also, those associated with apprenticeships, including across award categories such as ‘Apprenticeship Ambassador of the Year’ and ‘Inspiring the Future Employer of the Year’.

The 100th award ever presented at the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards is set to go to the winner of the ‘Apprenticeship Employer of the Year (250+ Employees)’ category.

This year has also seen the most entries and nominations to the awards ever, including 74 individual current or recent apprentices, 35 employers and 26 training providers.

Nigel Tipple – Chief Executive of Enterprise Oxfordshire – said: “The Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards offer a vital opportunity to celebrate all things apprenticeships in the county and highlight the people truly making the most of – and providing others with – such important opportunities.

“Apprenticeships provide young people and career changers with the opportunity to gain new skills and on-the-job experience, whilst earning a fair wage and obtaining an industry-specific qualification.

“They each offer fantastic training opportunities to talented individuals and benefit businesses too, with new ideas helping companies to stay ahead of their competitors.

“The 2025 Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards will not only celebrate individual successes but also inspire young people and employers across the county to begin their apprenticeship journey.

“The fact that many of the sectors represented by the awards finalists cover such a variety of sectors – and many of which align with the Local Skills Improvement Plan – is a key indicator of the strides Oxfordshire is taking with regards to the talent pipeline in the county.

“On behalf of Enterprise Oxfordshire – and the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards Committee – I offer my congratulations to all of the finalists, as we look forward to celebrating them further next month.”

A full list of award finalists are as follows, selected by category sponsors  representing several key sectors:

Intermediate Apprentice of the Year Award: 

Sponsored by Abbott Diabetes Care 

Finalists:  

• Abigail Harker, Apprentice Recruitment Administration Assistant – employer: University of Oxford; training provider: GLP Training 
• Thomas Nilen, Apprentice Bricklayer – employer: Hummels Brickwork; training provider: Activate Learning 
• Jack Robins, Transactional Accounts Assistant – employer: Jonas Software UK & Europe; training provider: Abingdon & Witney College 

Advanced Apprentice of the Year Award: 

Sponsored by NielsenIQ 

Finalists:  

• Gabriella Balfour-Allen, Engineering Apprentice – employer: Abbott Diabetes Care; training provider: Oxfordshire Advanced Skills 
• Imani D’Amore, Apprentice Youth Support Worker – employer: Oxfordshire County Council; training provider: UCAN 
• Nicholas Fountain, Apprentice Plumber – employer: GasWise Plumbing & Heating Services (UK) Ltd; training provider: Oxford Energy Academy 

Higher Apprentice of the Year Award: 

Sponsored by Siemens Healthineers Magnet Technology

Finalists: 

• Megan Johnston, Finance Assistant – employer: Blenheim Palace; training provider: Reed Business School 
• Faith King, Teacher in Apprenticeships – employer: Activate Learning; training provider: Activate Learning 
• Jessie Weavers-Medina, Centre Administrator – employer: University of Oxford; training provider: Abingdon & Witney College 

Special Recognition Award: 

Sponsored by M Group Highways 

Finalists:  

• Yasmin Betteridge, Youth Work Apprentice – employer: TRAIN – Inspiring Young People; training provider: B Skill 
• Scarlet Boyd, Senior Stylist and Colourist – employer: Popham Hairdressing; training provider: Introtrain & Forum Limited 
• Imani D’Amore, Apprentice Youth Support Worker – employer: Oxfordshire County Council; training provider: UCAN 

Rising Star Award: 

Sponsored by Popham Hairdressing 

Finalists: 

• Adam Hitchman, Business Administration Apprentice (HR) – employer: Signifo Limited t/as Webexpenses; training provider: Abingdon & Witney College 
• Alice Howes, HR Apprentice Assistant – employer: University of Oxford; training provider: Abingdon & Witney College 
• Roman Kane, Maintenance Technician Electrical – employer: Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford; training provider: Abingdon & Witney College 

Shining Star Award: 

Sponsored by IST INTECH 

Finalists: 

• Scarlet Boyd, Senior Stylist and Colourist – employer: Popham Hairdressing; training provider: Introtrain & Forum Limited 
• Tiffany Hickman, People Apprentice (Learning & Development) – employer: Blenheim Palace; training provider: Inspiro Learning 
• Rossi Salvatore, Product Manager – Retail – employer: Karcher UK Ltd; training provider: Warwickshire College Group 

Apprenticeship Ambassador Award: 

Sponsored by Grundon 

Finalists: 

• Katy Claridge, Architectural Apprentice and Content Creator – employer: Associated Architects; training provider: University of Nottingham 
• Tiffany Hickman, People Apprentice (Learning & Development) – employer: Blenheim Palace; training provider: Inspiro Learning 
• Emilia Reyes Pabon, Apprentice Technician Scientist – employer: University of Oxford; training provider: University of Kent 

Skills Champion Award: 

Sponsored by The Engineering Trust 

Finalists: 

• Jo Bennett, Assistant Manager, Fairfield Residential Home 
• Helen Cannon, Co-Founder / Director, Intake Talent 
• Caroline Walton, Director – ELS Awarding Organisation, Explosive Learning Solutions (ELS) Ltd

Inspiring the Future Award: 

Sponsored by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust 

Finalists:  

• ACE Training 
• Intake Talent 
• Morgan Sindall Construction 

Training Provider Individual Award: 

Sponsored by Oxford Brookes University 

Finalists: 

• James Barrett, Electrical Tutor, JTL Training 
• Jess Greenfield, Apprentice Mentor, South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust 
• Rebecca Manger, Assessor, Introtrain & Forum Ltd 

Apprenticeship Employer of the Year (<250 Employees) Award: 

Sponsored by Olamalu 

Finalists: 

• Explosive Learning Solutions (ELS) Ltd 
• Fairfield Residential Home 
• Popham Hairdressing 

Apprenticeship Employer of the Year (250+ Employees) Award: 

Sponsored by Assure UK 

Finalists: 

• Grundon Waste Management 
• Oxfordshire County Council 
• University of Oxford 

Enterprise Oxfordshire added that they are also grateful to receive the support of High Spec Composites, Darke & Taylor, Jonas Software UK & Europe, Oxford North, Activate Learning, the South East Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, Oxfordshire County Council, Oxfordshire Advanced Skills and the University of Oxford.

The Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2025 will take place on Thursday 22 May in the Long Library at Blenheim Palace.

Enterprise Oxfordshire became the new trading name of the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) on 1 April. The change marked the completion of a two-year process that saw the economic development functions – previously led by Local Enterprise Partnerships – altered so that they were to be overseen via a mechanism agreed by respective upper-tier local authorities, in this instance, Oxfordshire County Council.

Oxfordshire County Council now act as Enterprise Oxfordshire’s 100% shareholder, known as a Teckal company arrangement.

You can also follow the awards on social media via: #OAAwards2025.

OxLEP – who have supported thousands of the county’s businesses, entrepreneurs and community groups to flourish for almost 15 years – will next month, adopt a new trading name as a major shift in national policy for Local Enterprise Partnerships reaches a conclusion.

From 1 April, OxLEP will operate under the guise of ‘Enterprise Oxfordshire’, with the change marking the completion of a two-year process that has seen the economic development functions – previously led by Local Enterprise Partnerships – altered so that they are to be overseen via a mechanism agreed by respective upper-tier local authorities, in this instance, Oxfordshire County Council.

The shift in policy was originally announced by the previous Chancellor Jeremy Hunt at the then Government’s Spring Budget in March 2023.

Since then, both OxLEP and Oxfordshire County Council have worked closely to ensure a refreshed and clear governance process was created, whilst maintaining operations and meeting the changes required by Government.

What followed in November 2024 saw the County Council’s full cabinet announce that OxLEP Ltd would remain, with the County Council acting as the organisation’s 100% shareholder – known as a Teckal company arrangement.

OxLEP – who since its launch in 2011, have secured £441.7million of investment for Oxfordshire via the government’s Local Growth Fund and Getting Building Fund – would then adopt the new trading name, active from 1 April, as well as maintaining its independent company status.

Building on its significant legacy as OxLEP, Enterprise Oxfordshire will oversee the delivery of a comprehensive set of business, skills, investment and trade support services, as well as supporting a variety of strategies backing Oxfordshire’s economic potential to be delivered in a sustainable and inclusive manner.

The introduction of Enterprise Oxfordshire mirrors many new arrangements to have been confirmed across England over the past 24 months.

Depending on the frameworks developed between respective local authorities and former LEPs, areas in England now have a variety of arrangements in-place, each suited to support their own local economic development activity and priorities.

Some former LEPs have been fully integrated into upper-tier authorities, some continue as independent organisations with a governance link in-place with their authority, whilst others have been closed permanently.

The creation of Enterprise Oxfordshire is a specific arrangement for this county.

The organisation’s chief executive believes that the change represents an exciting future, including for those businesses, entrepreneurial individuals, communities, education providers and many other groups who have historically sort OxLEP’s backing and support.

Nigel Tipple – Chief Executive of OxLEP – said: “Of course, this is a big change for us as an organisation – however it is an exciting one and we are delighted to introduce Enterprise Oxfordshire and begin our refreshed relationship with Oxfordshire County Council too.

“Although our name is changing, what is not lost is our experience, knowledge and positive impact on the Oxfordshire economy, diligently built over the past 15 years. We are looking forward to bringing this approach into a new era and under the guise of Enterprise Oxfordshire.

“We will continue to work in partnership with our business community, education providers and wider communities to ensure they are able to flourish, succeed and enjoy new opportunities and openings.”

Enterprise Oxfordshire will begin life building on a significant legacy left by OxLEP.

Its last impact report – detailing activity delivered during the 2023/24 financial year alone – highlighted how OxLEP developed almost 700 bespoke support plans for Oxfordshire businesses, secured £842,000-worth of grants to over 50 visitor economy businesses in the county, whilst also optimising over £2.6million of underutilised apprenticeship levy (a figure that has now reached over £3.6million) into new apprenticeship schemes, filling business need and skills gaps – funding that would have otherwise been lost to Oxfordshire and returned to the Treasury.

This new arrangement with Oxfordshire County Council is one that has been implemented previously by a number of local authorities, creating a structure for companies to operate in fields such as health care, adult social care and other public services.

A Teckal company – also known as a Local Authority Trading Company (LATC) – are companies wholly-owned by a local authority, set up to operate certain services or functions.

The shift to a Teckal company is also coupled with a much-refreshed new governance structure, including a reduced Board presence, down to three members – two of which represent Oxfordshire County Council (one elected member and one executive member) with a third Non-executive Director to become the new Chair of Enterprise Oxfordshire, representing the county’s private sector.

The organisation will continue to communicate as OxLEP until 1 April, before switching to its new trading name – this switch will be particularly visible across Enterprise Oxfordshire’s digital channels which will be fully-updated to reflect the new arrangement.

Nigel Tipple added: “Through our top-class legacy, we remain the ‘go to’ organisation for those looking to start-up, develop or take on a new business challenge, as well as those aiming to inspire new career and skills opportunities too.

“We are excited to build on an already solid relationship with Oxfordshire County Council, acting as a vibrant catalyst and convener to support an inclusive and sustainable economy which we can all be proud of and – as Enterprise Oxfordshire – we will work hard to develop new programmes and initiatives that support our motivated business community and associated groups and organisations.”

The event offers students in Years 9 and above – and their families – the opportunity to connect with some of Oxfordshire’s best employers, highlighting significant career pathways available in the county.

Continuing the success of previous years – the 2025 Oxfordshire ‘Careers Fest’ is currently well underway – giving young people from around the county the opportunity to consider their futures by engaging with employers, education and training providers, with some of the county’s biggest organisations in attendance.

Run by OxLEP Skills’ Oxfordshire Careers Hub – supported by the Careers & Enterprise Company – the event sees students from a vast array of Oxfordshire schools and colleges attend daytime sessions, including secondary schools, further education colleges and special schools.

Running over two days on Wednesday and Thursday this week, the event also sees a ‘twilight’ session take place this evening (Wednesday 19th) giving parents and carers the opportunity to attend with their young people, to arm families with the knowledge to support students with their career and further education decisions.

Aimed at all families, but with a specific focus on those supporting students in Year 9 and above – the evening session provides the opportunity for guidance and sharing knowledge on Post-16 and Post-18 education, training and careers options.

Following on from the success of National Careers Week earlier in the month, Careers Fest sees 80 organisations from across a huge array of sectors in Oxfordshire exhibiting, including key county names such as Blenheim Palace, BMW, University of Oxford and Williams Racing.

A number of organisations are also supporting the event as headline sponsors – including Grundon Waste Management, Howden Insurance, Laing O’ Rourke, Lucy Group, Morgan Sindall Construction, Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and Velocity Football – contributing to the travel costs for schools to help ensure as many students as possible can attend. The full list of exhibitors can be found on the OxLEP Skills website.

Nigel Tipple – Chief Executive of OxLEP – said: “We’ve been running Careers Fest for many years now, and every year I am truly blown away by the commitment of the county’s employers in supporting skills provision and education for Oxfordshire’s young people – the event really has become the region’s most anticipated and exciting careers event.

“Oxfordshire is a county with an aptitude in numerous key industries and technologies – from its world-class scientific capabilities and R&D reputation – to its global motorsport presence – to the vast array of opportunities that come with the county’s renowned visitor economy.

“The wonderful thing about Careers Fest is the representation across so many of these sectors that is put forward – ensuring the county’s young people have all the right information to take their next steps in terms of education, employment and training.”

“This year we are lucky enough to have over 80 of the county’s top employers exhibiting – the most we have ever had – and it’s a huge for opportunity for students and their parents to gauge what the right pathway may be for them and their future.”

Hosted by Oxfordshire Careers Hub, Careers Fest is the region’s most anticipated and exciting careers event. It will take place on 19-20 March at The Kassam Stadium, with a ‘twilight’ session for parents and carers on 19 March from 16:00-19:00.

We’re delighted to introduce Laing O’Rourke as a headline sponsor of Careers Fest 2025. Their generous support has helped to fund transport costs for schools and colleges visiting Careers Fest during the day, enabling more students to attend.

Laing O’Rourke is an international engineering and construction company delivering state-of-the-art infrastructure and buildings projects for clients in the United Kingdom, Middle East and Australia. It is the largest privately owned construction company in the UK.

Laing O’Rourke’s early talent programmes are designed to kickstart your career, learning alongside some of the industry’s most talented and innovative minds. Whether you’re looking to join their graduate or apprenticeship programmes, there will be something to suit you and your learning.

Amanda Thompson, Social Value Advisor at Laing O’Rourke, says: “Get ready for an exciting experience at this year’s Careers Fest. Laing O’ Rourke are proud to be a headline sponsor at this year’s event.

“Our diverse team of people, ranging from civil and digital engineers to architects and skilled trades are each involved in the delivery of exciting projects in Oxford. They can’t wait to meet you, ignite great conversation and help you explore the endless possibilities of a career in construction.”

If you’re looking to join Laing O’Rourke’s graduate or apprenticeship programmes, visit their careers page at: https://careers.laingorourke.com

Visit Careers Fest

Careers Fest offers the opportunity to meet a range of employers, further education colleges, universities and training providers, with around 80 exhibitors offering information, advice and guidance on future pathways and careers from a varied range of sectors.

Register to attend the session for parents/carers at  https://careersfest2025twilightsession.eventbrite.co.uk

Follow us on social media @OxLEPSkills for all the latest on Careers Fest and join in the conversation using the hashtag #CF2025.

With entries to the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2025 set to draw to a close in the next couple of weeks – the awards’ hosts are calling for the county’s businesses to get nominations in for the exceptional apprenticeship trailblazers in their workplaces.

With this year’s National Apprenticeship Week well underway, OxLEP Skills – along with the rest of the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards Committee – are calling for the county’s businesses to give their apprentices and apprenticeship advocates the recognition they deserve, by entering them into this year’s Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards.

The prestigious awards – now in their ninth year – offer individuals and organisations from around the county the opportunity to highlight the positive role apprenticeships have had, and continue to have, on them. With this year’s awards evening set to take place at the world-renowned Blenheim Palace on Thursday 22nd of May, those looking to enter or nominate worthy candidates for the awards have until midnight on the evening of Monday 24th of February to get entries in.

Since its first event in 2017, the awards have created a significant platform to highlight the importance of apprenticeships within the Oxfordshire economy and its wider labour market, as well as the opportunities that such schemes can bring to young people and those looking to re-engage with employment opportunities.

The awards are organised and managed by OxLEP Skills on a not-for-profit basis, with the generous support of a number of sponsoring organisations.

The 2025 headline sponsor is The Hill Group, who will choose the overall Apprentice of the Year from the winners of the five apprentice awards. The award categories are sponsored as follows:

• Intermediate Apprentice of the Year – Abbott Diabetes Care
• Advanced Apprentice of the Year – NielsenIQ
• Higher / Degree Apprentice of the Year – Siemens Healthineers Magnet Technology
• Special Recognition Award – Milestone Infrastructure
• Rising Star Award – Popham Hairdressing
• Shining Star Award – IST INTECH
• Apprenticeship Ambassador Award – Grundon Waste Management
• Inspiring the Future Employer Award – Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
• Skills Champion Award – The Engineering Trust
• Training Provider Individual Award – Oxford Brookes University
• Apprenticeship Employer of the Year (<250 employees) – Olamalu
• Apprenticeship Employer of the Year (250+ employees) – Assure UK

OxLEP Skills add that they are also grateful to have the support of High Spec Composites, Darke & Taylor, Jonas Software UK & Europe, Oxford North, Activate Learning, the South East Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, Oxfordshire County Council, Oxfordshire Advanced Skills and the University of Oxford.

Nigel Tipple, Chief Executive at OxLEP – said: “Every year the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards provide an incomparable opportunity for those in the county that are leading the way in championing apprenticeships, to receive the recognition they truly deserve.

“Winning an Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Award is a highly-respected accolade – and could have the power not only to reward those worthy candidates – but propel them to higher levels of success in their career. We would strongly encourage employers and individuals showcasing the success of apprenticeships in the county to consider entering – and to do so as soon as possible, to avoid missing out on this opportunity.”

This comes as this year’s National Apprenticeship Week continues across the UK – with the week-long celebration of ‘all things apprenticeships’ focusing on the power of these opportunities as ‘Skills for Life’.

An awareness week education and training providers, employers and apprentices alike can get involved in – a key focus of this year’s National Apprenticeship Week is considering the multiple touchpoints of apprenticeships and the impact they can have at any point in someone’s career.

Through OxLEP Skills’ Apprenticeship Levy Pledge Initiative – funded through the Social Contract Programme, from the government’s Contain Outbreak Management Fund, via Oxfordshire County Council – a team of dedicated Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Advisors are in place to support employers to take on apprentices, upskill their existing teams, or pledge unspent apprenticeship levy.

Nigel added: “Having made over £3.6m in apprenticeship levy funds available for Oxfordshire, the Apprenticeship Levy Pledge Initiative provides businesses within the county looking to take on an apprentice – whether as an opportunity to take on new staff or upskill existing employees, or with unspent levy to pledge – with the support to put their skills ambitions into practice.

“This National Apprenticeship Week, we are urging employers to look into the role apprenticeships could play in transforming their businesses – who knows, maybe one day they too could be nominated for an Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Award.”

As this year’s National Apprenticeship Week continues to get underway, employers, training providers and apprentices across the UK continue to take the opportunity to celebrate all things apprenticeships – and what truly makes these ‘Skills for Life’.

A key part of our role here at OxLEP Skills is to support employers with their apprenticeship needs, with support including that available through our Apprenticeship Levy Pledge Initiative, through which levy-paying businesses can transfer their unspent funds to smaller businesses within the county, to take on an apprentice.

Unsure as to how this can work and if it’s the right thing for you or your business? Here are case studies of four very different businesses, that have one thing in common – they have all received levy funding from the University of Oxford through OxLEP Skills’ Apprenticeship Levy Pledge Initiative:

In Friendship Ltd

In Friendship Ltd are an organisation that pride themselves in ‘delivering high quality, compassionate client-led home care services to older people living in Oxfordshire’. Based in Witney, the team is managed by husband-and-wife duo and directors, John and Taqwa Galpin.

Last Autumn – with the support of OxLEP Skills’ Apprenticeship Advisors – In Friendship Home Care and Support Services were awarded £14,000 from the University of Oxford to support the full apprenticeship training costs of two Level 5 Leaders in Adult Care.

John Galpin, Managing Director at In Friendship Ltd, said: “Like many care providers, we knew we needed to boost our management team’s knowledge of the care sector, to keep our service running smoothly and by the book. We got in touch with OxLEP Skills to see what help was out there for small businesses wanting to take on apprenticeships.

“The brilliant team at OxLEP went above and beyond to help us. They broke down exactly how small companies can make apprenticeships work and sorted out all the levy funding for us through their pledge initiative. It was honestly so simple – no complex paperwork or hoops to jump through.”

Read our full case study

Oxfordshire Community Foundation

Oxfordshire Community Foundation (OCF) is a charity that has been working in Oxfordshire since 1995 to build thriving communities through effective philanthropy. OCF improves lives and tackles inequality by investing in Oxfordshire’s dynamic charitable sector, with an ambitious goal to be the gold-standard in grant-making.

Last Autumn – with the support of OxLEP Skills’ Apprenticeship Advisors – OCF were awarded £8,000 from the University of Oxford to support the full apprenticeship training costs of a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Fundraising.

Sophie Grant joined OCF in February 2023 in a newly formed role of Fundraising Assistant, supporting the Head of Development in building strong relationships with existing and new donors.

To complement her role, Sophie undertook a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Fundraising with chosen provider JGA, kindly funded by an apprenticeship levy transfer from the University of Oxford. Over the last 18 months Sophie has been studying alongside her job, gaining skills, knowledge and insights in charitable sector fundraising and has now completed her apprenticeship with a distinction!

Sophie said: “The fundraising apprenticeship has been instrumental in developing my skillset and supporting our work at OCF. It has provided essential knowledge, skills and behaviours for effective fundraising, including a strong understanding of fundraising principles, donor engagement and ethical practices. I’ve gained practical expertise in research, communications, and data analysis, all of which have strengthened my ability to build donor relationships and contribute strategically to OCF’s fundraising efforts.”

Read our full case study

Live Wire

Live Wire have been able to grow their apprenticeship programme from two apprentices to eleven in just over a year, thanks to the transfer of apprenticeship levy funds from the University of Oxford and support from OxLEP Skills. They have been able to upskill existing colleagues and recruit new staff members, which has been instrumental in helping the business continue to grow at pace:

Oxford Creators

Oxford Creators were able to put a member of their team onto an apprenticeship, thanks to an apprenticeship levy transfer from the University of Oxford and support from OxLEP Skills. In this film, we hear from OxLEP Skills’ Apprenticeship Advisor Leah Bryan, Oxford Creators Founder Veena Virahsammy and Outdoor Learning Specialist Apprentice Hilary John and University of Oxford Career Development Manager Jasmine Morasi:

OxLEP Skills’ Apprenticeship Levy Pledge Initiative sees apprenticeship levy-paying organisations (those with an annual pay bill of £3m+) with unused levy funds, able to transfer these to other organisations within the county for their own apprenticeship needs – rather than losing them back to the Treasury. 

As part of OxLEP Skills’ Social Contract Programme – funded by the government’s Contain Outbreak Management Fund via Oxfordshire County Council and led by OxLEP Skills – a team of Oxfordshire Skills and Employability Advisors are in place to offer support and guidance to the county’s businesses looking for apprenticeship support. 

This pre-funded (at no cost to the employer) support includes helping employers to unlock their apprenticeship levy and enabling smaller organisations to access unused levy to start or develop their apprenticeship schemes. It also includes support for employers and training providers along the apprenticeship journey, with a strong focus on the timely completion of the apprenticeship. 

One business that has pledged their apprenticeship levy to support smaller organisations in Oxfordshire is Serco, a multinational defence, health, space, justice, migration, customer services, transport and community services company. 

As well as making a difference by offering apprenticeships themselves, Serco are also making a real impact by donating to SMEs, charities and other organisations to fund apprenticeships, through their levy gifting. The partnerships they form with organisations like OxLEP Skills Hub – which help them do this – are really key. 

Leah Bryan, Skills and Employability Advisor, OxLEP said: “I reached out to see if Serco would be willing to support Oxfordshire through their apprenticeship levy gifting – and they were more than happy to get involved! 

“This support is invaluable, removing financial barriers and allowing SMEs to invest in apprenticeships that strengthen their workforce. 

“Serco has already made a huge impact gifting £79,000 to Oxfordshire businesses, which we have already been able to utilise to fund 7 apprenticeships, primarily in the health sector – and they have also expressed interest in supporting the engineering sector moving forward. 

“OxLEP Skills are excited to continue this partnership, matching SMEs and charities with Serco’s generous levy pledges to help businesses upskill their teams and bring in fresh talent.” 

Helen & Douglas House Children’s Hospice is one of the organisations to benefit.

Christina Murphy-Wakelin, Learning and Development Lead said: “Securing the levy pledge is incredibly generous and enables us as a charity to use funds to provide services for the children and families we care for, whilst still developing staff and enabling them to progress.”

Another business that has benefitted is Walfinch, an organisation that provides bespoke, high-quality care at home to individuals and families. Kam Gill, Managing Director of Walfinch Oxfordshire, said: “As a homecare business, I am incredibly grateful to Serco for their generous pledge of unused apprenticeship levy funding to support my Senior Leadership Apprenticeship. This initiative not only helps me invest in the growth and development of my leadership journey but also strengthens my ability to compete and thrive in an ever-evolving marketplace. I truly appreciate Serco’s commitment to supporting my businesses, empowering me to develop the skills I need for my future success. It’s a fantastic example of how collaboration can make a real impact!” 

Shaun Stacey, Chief People and Culture Officer at Serco UK and Europe, said: “Serco’s donation of unspent levy funds to SMEs across England demonstrates our dedication to supporting training and employment to impact a better future. 

“Apprenticeships offer a great start for many people to learn new skills and develop their careers. As a large employer, we take our social value commitments seriously and recognise that levy gifting is a great way of developing talent in key sectors. Without our pledge, these SMEs might not otherwise be able to afford to fund these opportunities.” 

Find out more about apprenticeships at Serco: www.serco.com/uk/careers/apprenticeships

Oxfordshire Community Foundation (OCF) is a charity that has been working in Oxfordshire since 1995 to build thriving communities through effective philanthropy. OCF improves lives and tackles inequality by investing in Oxfordshire’s dynamic charitable sector, with an ambitious goal to be the gold-standard in grant-making.

Last Autumn – with the support of OxLEP Skills’ Apprenticeship Advisors – OCF were awarded £8,000 from the University of Oxford to support the full apprenticeship training costs of a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Fundraising.

OxLEP Skills’ Apprenticeship Levy Pledge Initiative sees apprenticeship levy-paying organisations (those with an annual pay bill of £3m+) with unused levy funds, able to transfer these to other organisations within the county for their own apprenticeship needs – rather than losing them back to the Treasury.

As part of OxLEP Skills’ Social Contract Programme – funded by the government’s Contain Outbreak Management Fund via Oxfordshire County Council and led by OxLEP Skills – a team of Oxfordshire Skills and Employability Advisors are in place to offer support and guidance to the county’s businesses looking for apprenticeship support.

This pre-funded (at no cost to the employer) support includes helping employers to unlock their apprenticeship levy and enabling smaller organisations to access unused levy to start or develop their apprenticeship schemes. It also includes support for employers and training providers along the apprenticeship journey, with a strong focus on the timely completion of the apprenticeship.

Skills and Employability Advisor Leah Bryan supported the team at OCF in matching them with the University of Oxford to facilitate an apprenticeship levy transfer.

Sophie Grant (pictured) joined OCF in February 2023 in a newly formed role of Fundraising Assistant, supporting the Head of Development in building strong relationships with existing and new donors. To complement her role, Sophie undertook a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Fundraising with chosen provider JGA, kindly funded by an apprenticeship levy transfer from the University of Oxford. Over the last 18 months Sophie has been studying alongside her job, gaining skills, knowledge and insights in charitable sector fundraising and has now completed her apprenticeship with a distinction!

Sophie says: “The fundraising apprenticeship has been instrumental in developing my skillset and supporting our work at OCF. It has provided essential knowledge, skills and behaviours for effective fundraising, including a strong understanding of fundraising principles, donor engagement and ethical practices. I’ve gained practical expertise in research, communications, and data analysis, all of which have strengthened my ability to build donor relationships and contribute strategically to OCF’s fundraising efforts.

“The apprenticeship has also helped me develop vital personal skills like confidence, resilience, and problem-solving, empowering me to navigate challenges and engage funders effectively.

“This opportunity wouldn’t have been possible without the invaluable support and guidance from Leah at OxLEP Skills, as well as the apprenticeship levy transfer from the University of Oxford. Thanks to OxLEP’s apprenticeship grant scheme, which was available at the time, I received assistance with costs like a bus pass, office attire and home-working equipment, ensuring I was well-equipped for both remote and office work.”

Following her successful apprenticeship, Sophie now takes on the role of Development Officer.

This National Apprenticeship Week, why not consider apprenticeships as a means to upskill your own team? Help keep up with industry standards whilst maintaining an established workforce, like the team at Oxfordshire Community Foundation.

In Friendship Ltd are an organisation that pride themselves in ‘delivering high quality, compassionate client-led home care services to older people living in Oxfordshire’. Based in Witney, the team is managed by husband-and-wife duo and directors, John and Taqwa Galpin.

Last Autumn – with the support of OxLEP Skills’ Apprenticeship Advisors – In Friendship Home Care and Support Services were awarded £14,000 from the University of Oxford to support the full apprenticeship training costs of two Level 5 Leaders in Adult Care.

OxLEP Skills’ Apprenticeship Levy Pledge Initiative sees apprenticeship levy-paying organisations (those with an annual pay bill of £3m+) with unused levy funds, able to transfer these to other organisations within the county for their own apprenticeship needs – rather than losing them back to the Treasury.

As part of OxLEP Skills’ Social Contract Programme – funded by the government’s Contain Outbreak Management Fund via Oxfordshire County Council and led by OxLEP Skills – a team of Oxfordshire Skills and Employability Advisors are in place to offer support and guidance to the county’s businesses looking for apprenticeship support.

This pre-funded (at no cost to the employer) support includes helping employers to unlock their apprenticeship levy and enabling smaller organisations to access unused levy to start or develop their apprenticeship schemes. It also includes support for employers and training providers along the apprenticeship journey, with a strong focus on the timely completion of the apprenticeship.

Skills and Employability Advisor Leah Bryan supported the team at In Friendship Ltd in finding a training provider, setting up their digital apprenticeship service account, matching to an apprenticeship levy transfer and connecting the digital accounts to the funding.

John Galpin, Managing Director at In Friendship Ltd, said: “Like many care providers, we knew we needed to boost our management team’s knowledge of the care sector, to keep our service running smoothly and by the book. We got in touch with OxLEP Skills to see what help was out there for small businesses wanting to take on apprenticeships. 

“The brilliant team at OxLEP, especially Leah, went above and beyond to help us. She broke down exactly how small companies can make apprenticeships work and sorted out all the levy funding for us through their pledge initiative. It was honestly so simple – no complex paperwork or hoops to jump through. 

“Leah didn’t just help with the money side of things – she pointed us towards some fantastic training providers too. The whole process was a doddle, with hardly any extra work for us. 

“OxLEP Skills’ Skills and Employability Advisor, Andrea, has also been amazing at getting everything up and running, giving us loads of practical tips on fitting the training around our day-to-day work. 

“Their support has made such a difference in helping us level up our team while keeping our care standards spot on.” 

This National Apprenticeship Week, why not consider apprenticeships as a means to upskill your own team? Help keep up with industry standards whilst maintaining an established workforce, like the team at In Friendship Home Care and Support Services.

Hosted by Oxfordshire Careers Hub, Careers Fest is the region’s most anticipated and exciting careers event. It will take place on 19-20 March at The Kassam Stadium, with a ‘twilight’ session for parents and carers on 19 March from 16:00-19:00.

We’re delighted to introduce Association for Project Management (APM) as a headline sponsor of Careers Fest 2025. Their generous support has helped to fund transport costs for schools and colleges visiting Careers Fest during the day, enabling more students to attend.

APM is the only chartered membership organisation for the project profession in the world. They have over 45,000 members and more than 470 corporate partners that benefit from what they do.

Robin Carter-Evans, Education Outreach Manager at APM, says: “We’re the only chartered membership organisation for the project profession in the world. We have over 45,000 members and more than 470 corporate partners that benefit from what we do. Projects happen in every sector, every industry and most companies. In fact, most companies that will attend Careers Fest will deliver projects or hire project professionals!

“There are lots of routes in, including apprenticeships which means it is the perfect profession for those who have a passion, but aren’t sure how they fit into a certain sector. Please come over to our stand to say hi and learn more.”

Visit Careers Fest

Careers Fest offers the opportunity to meet a range of employers, further education colleges, universities and training providers, with around 80 exhibitors offering information, advice and guidance on future pathways and careers from a varied range of sectors.

Register to attend the session for parents/carers at  https://careersfest2025twilightsession.eventbrite.co.uk

Follow us on social media @OxLEPSkills for all the latest on Careers Fest and join in the conversation using the hashtag #CF2025.

Hosted by Oxfordshire Careers Hub, Careers Fest is the region’s most anticipated and exciting careers event. It will take place on 19-20 March at The Kassam Stadium, with a ‘twilight’ session for parents and carers on 19 March from 16:00-19:00.

We’re delighted to introduce MK Surveys as a headline sponsor of Careers Fest 2025. Their generous support has helped to fund transport costs for schools and colleges visiting Careers Fest during the day, enabling more students to attend.

MK Surveys are geospatial experts offering professional measurement and mapping services relating to land, buildings and utilities for over 50 years, nationwide and overseas.

Jay Shakespeare, Director at MK Surveys, says: “As a headline sponsor, MK Surveys is proud to support this fantastic event, helping students and attendees explore exciting career paths.

“We specialise in land and measured building surveys, providing precise data that shapes the built environment. From cutting-edge technology to real-world applications, our industry is vital to construction, planning and development.

“Visit our stand to discover career opportunities, learn about our innovative work, and see how you can be part of a growing field where accuracy and expertise matter. We look forward to meeting you!”

Find out more about MK Surveys via the links below:

Website: https://mksurveys.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/mk-surveys
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mksurveys

Visit Careers Fest

Careers Fest offers the opportunity to meet a range of employers, further education colleges, universities and training providers, with around 80 exhibitors offering information, advice and guidance on future pathways and careers from a varied range of sectors.

Register to attend the session for parents/carers at  https://careersfest2025twilightsession.eventbrite.co.uk

Follow us on social media @OxLEPSkills for all the latest on Careers Fest and join in the conversation using the hashtag #CF2025.