OxLEP Skills are excited to be providing a fully-funded webinar series to lend a helping hand to Oxfordshire employers who employ apprentices and are aiming for successful achievements!

Hawk Training will be delivering each webinar with and on behalf of OxLEP Skills and will cover different topics on the journey of an apprentice, starting with apprentice recruitment and ending with End Point Assessment. Sign up for all six webinars via this link: https://linktr.ee/HawkTraining, or register for individual sessions using the links below:

Apprenticeship Recruitment and Expectations
Wednesday 28 February, 12:00-12:45
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/apprenticeships-recruitment-and-expectations-webinar-tickets-839950704167

Apprenticeship Employer Engagement
Wednesday 20 March, 12:00-12:45
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/employer-engagement-webinar-tickets-840195797247

Apprentice Engagement
Wednesday 17 April, 12:00-12:45
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/aprentice-engagement-webinar-tickets-840217672677

Apprentice Resilience (Including Mentoring)
Wednesday 8 May, 12:00-12:45
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/resilience-including-mentoring-webinar-tickets-840222296507

Apprenticeship EPA Process (Including Gateway and Planning)
Wednesday 12 June, 12:00-12:45
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/epa-process-including-gateway-and-planning-webinar-tickets-840229287417

Apprenticeship EPA Projects
Wednesday 10 July, 12:00-12:45
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/projects-at-epa-webinar-tickets-840271443507

Our expert Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Adviser Andrea Harrison offers fully-funded support with all aspects of apprenticeships, including completions. If you’d like some help and advice, get in touch with Andrea at andrea.harrison@oxfordshirelep.com

Find out more about apprenticeship support available to employers.

National Apprenticeship Week aims to highlight the exceptional work being done by employers and apprentices across the country.

The 17th annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships will take place from 5 to 11 February 2024. The theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2024 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 – 6 February, 18:00-19:00

https://careersliveuk.com/partner/oxfordshire-careers-hub

We are teaming up with LearnLive 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.

Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2024

The Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2024 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 19 February at midnight.

Events and open days

Details of events happening across Oxfordshire during National Apprenticeship Week 2024:

Engineering Employer Open Evenings

5 to 8 February

www.theengineeringtrust.org/apprenticeships/naw24

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.

• 5 February – FMB Oxford & Ercol, Princes Risborough
• 6 February – Norbar Torque Tools, Banbury & Advanced Fibreoptic Engineering – Carterton
• 7 February – Navtech Radar, Wantage & Barrus, Bicester
• 8 February – Viridor, Ardley

JTL Oxford Open Evening

5 February, 16:30-19:00

www.eventbrite.com/e/799960803297

At this open evening, you can find out all about electrical apprenticeships with JTL Training, based at Culham Science Centre near Abingdon. Booking essential.

Activate Learning Apprenticeships Webinar

5 February, 09:15-10:00

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gain-skills-for-life-become-an-apprentice-tickets-776362941457

At this webinar, you can find out about apprenticeships and where you can find vacancies and hear the view of an employer.

Oxfordshire County Council Apprenticeship Open Morning

7 February, 09:00-12:00

Pop into County Hall, New Road, Oxford, OX1 1NA to talk to the Oxfordshire County Council apprenticeship team about the opportunities available.

Velocity Football Open Event

7 February, 18:30

https://velocityfootball.co.uk/contact-us

Velocity Football is a post 16 education and football programme. Students can go along to an open evening at Oxford City FC to meet the tutors and coaching team and chat with current learners. Email courses@ignitesportuk.com for details.

Coming soon…

Careers Fest Parent/Carer Twilight Session

20 March, 16:30-19:30

https://careersfest2024twilightsession.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 20 March. There are slots from 16:30-18:00 or 18:00-19:30.

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, Nikki Cooper and Andrea Harrison 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 #NAW2024 and #SkillsForLife.

We are holding an apprenticeships webinar for parents and carers in partnership with Learn Live on 6 February 2024 from 18:00-19:00, during National Apprenticeship Week.

The webinar will give parents and carers the opportunity to find out all about apprenticeships to help them to support their young people with deciding what to do when they leave school or college.

They will be able to:

• Get the lowdown on apprenticeships
• Hear from Oxfordshire employers and apprentices
• Find out what opportunities are available to their young person
• Ask all their questions in a live chat

After the webinar, there will be the opportunity to chat with employers who offer apprenticeships via our Find Your Future virtual careers platform.

The eighth 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 16 May 2024 at Williams Racing Conference Centre.

We’re delighted to introduce Oxford North as the 2024 headline sponsor. 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 and why they have chosen to be the headline sponsor.

Why are you supporting the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards and why you have chosen to be the headline sponsor?

This is Oxford North’s third year supporting the awards and we’re proud to be headline 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 450 new jobs and eight new apprenticeships.

2024 is a big year for us as with our three construction partners, Hill Group, Careys and Laing O’Rourke, we are accelerating, so these construction job opportunities are only increasing.

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

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

We are looking for energy, drive and the ability to be a positive role model that will inspire other apprentices and indeed companies to take a similar approach.

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 19 February 2024. Finalists will be announced during Oxfordshire Apprenticeships Hour (hashtag #OAHour) on Twitter @OxonApprentice from 13:00 on Thursday 18 April 2024. Winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony on Thursday 16 May 2024.

If you would like the opportunity to support the awards, please get in touch.

Join us for Oxfordshire Apprenticeships Hour (#OAHour) on Twitter @OxonApprentice from 13:00-14:00 every Thursday for latest on the Awards and join in the conversation using the hashtag #OAAwards2024.

The eighth 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 16 May 2024 at Williams Racing Conference Centre.

We’re delighted to introduce Grundon as sponsor of the Intermediate Apprentice of the Year Award, which will recognise level 2 apprentices who have excelled in their work, learning and development and made exceptional contributions to their workplaces.

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, Lorraine Milburn, Head of HR, explains 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 past 12 months, 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 apprenticeship programmes, not just within our business, but in the wider local areas in which we operate.

We have chosen the category of Intermediate Apprentice of the Year award to demonstrate our support to entry level apprentices, who are at the start of their chosen career path.

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

The winner of the category will be able to demonstrate their enthusiasm to their programme, demonstrating the implementation of their learning within the workplace, and their progression in the early stages of their careers.

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, and have had great success in this field, with two of our recent workshop managers starting their careers as apprentices.

Over the past 12 months, we have widened our scope of apprentices within the business, upskilling current employees with aspirations to progress their careers, and offering new opportunities to people joining our business in a variety of apprenticeship roles, including sales, human resources, administration and engineering.

About the awards

The awards will be open for entries and nominations until midnight on the evening of Monday 19 February 2024. Finalists will be announced during Oxfordshire Apprenticeships Hour (hashtag #OAHour) on Twitter @OxonApprentice from 13:00 on Thursday 18 April 2024. Winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony on Thursday 16 May 2024.

If you would like the opportunity to support the awards, please get in touch.

Join us for Oxfordshire Apprenticeships Hour (#OAHour) on Twitter @OxonApprentice from 13:00-14:00 every Thursday for latest on the Awards and join in the conversation using the hashtag #OAAwards2024.

The eighth 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 16 May 2024 at Williams Racing Conference Centre.

We’re delighted to introduce Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust as sponsor of the Advanced Apprentice of the Year Award, which will recognise level 3 apprentices who have excelled in their work, learning and development and made exceptional contributions to their workplaces.

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset. Their services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people’s homes. We focus on delivering care as close to home as possible.

Here, Vicky Drew, Deputy Head of Learning and Development and Robyn Venables, Education Quality Assurance Lead, explain 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 Health are pleased to sponsor the Advanced Apprentice of the Year Award 2024.

As a provider of level 3 apprenticeships, Oxford Health recognises the dedication and commitment of advanced apprentices to the current and future workforce.

Oxford Health continues to support the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards as we are passionate about the talent and skills we have here in Oxfordshire. It is also a wonderful way to network and get to know other apprenticeship partners.

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

We are looking for someone who has made an exceptional impact in their workplace and committed enthusiastically to their programme. They should be someone who immersed themselves in their own development and has learnt a lot about themself and the subject area.

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

Do not think twice. There are numerous benefits to entering or nominating an apprentice; including recognition, a welcome confidence boost, adding value to a CV, opening doors to future opportunities and of course getting to attend a magnificent celebration event.

Tell us about your organisation’s experience of apprenticeships

We started our apprenticeship journey as a provider in 2017 and now, as a main provider, have a whole suite of programmes on offer. We play a big part in ensuring there are enough qualified healthcare staff locally; whether we deliver the programmes or partner with universities.

If you know a recently qualified Healthcare Assistant, Nurse, or Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner in Oxfordshire, then they probably were an apprentice with us! We also offer leadership, administration, and education apprenticeships – so we really do have something for everyone!

About the awards

The awards will be open for entries and nominations until midnight on the evening of Monday 19 February 2024. Finalists will be announced during Oxfordshire Apprenticeships Hour (hashtag #OAHour) on Twitter @OxonApprentice from 13:00 on Thursday 18 April 2024. Winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony on Thursday 16 May 2024.

If you would like the opportunity to support the awards, please get in touch.

Join us for Oxfordshire Apprenticeships Hour (#OAHour) on Twitter @OxonApprentice from 13:00-14:00 every Thursday for latest on the Awards and join in the conversation using the hashtag #OAAwards2024.

The eighth 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 16 May 2024 at Williams Racing Conference Centre.

We’re delighted to introduce Blenheim and Pye Homes as sponsor of the Higher / Degree Apprentice of the Year Award, which will recognise level 4 and above apprentices who have excelled in their work, learning and development and made exceptional contributions to their workplaces.

Here, Megan Carter, People Director and Emma Norridge, People Manager, explain 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?

The Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards are a fantastic way of highlighting how successful apprenticeship programmes can be to local businesses. It’s so important to celebrate the successes of what these apprentices achieve individually as well as raising awareness of how vital it is for local firms and businesses to support apprenticeships across the county.

We have chosen to sponsor the Higher / Degree Apprentice Award category because we want to recognise those who have continued with apprenticeships and really used them to maximize and develop their career.

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.

Someone who has worked extremely hard and is an ambassador for their local community and for apprenticeships in Oxfordshire, who is dedicated and has made a big impact to their employer.

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

Get as many recommendations from colleagues as you can and think about why your application is stand out.

Tell us about your organisation’s experience of apprenticeships

Blenheim Palace attracts visitors from around the world and is a filming location, a venue for weddings and events, as well as a producer and supplier of natural mineral water. Blenheim Estate is rich in forestry and farming practices, a landowner and construction business with a portfolio of residential and commercial properties.

It’s also a place where apprenticeships are valued, with a 10-year plan in place to employ 100 apprentices in all areas across the estate and Pye Homes, ensuring they are part of day to day life.

Joining the Blenheim and Pye apprenticeship scheme offers you a unique chance to gain hands-on work experience at one of the country’s most iconic world heritage sites or one of the local house building companies that is truly unique and cares about its legacy and communities, as well as achieve industry-recognised qualifications. Each year we welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors and are looking for motivated, enthusiastic and positive young people to get involved in national heritage as a career and help provide the best experience possible for them.

At Blenheim and Pye, the team bring every element of the business to life; a business that extends to a wider estate and welcomes anyone with a keen interest in property, building & contracting, farming, land management and much more. We even produce and sell our own mineral water, which comes from a natural spring on the Estate itself. Teams that take on apprentices include: marketing, finance, HR, gardens, rural, maintenance, operations, game, retail and construction.

About the awards

The awards will be open for entries and nominations until midnight on the evening of Monday 19 February 2024. Finalists will be announced during Oxfordshire Apprenticeships Hour (hashtag #OAHour) on Twitter @OxonApprentice from 13:00 on Thursday 18 April 2024. Winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony on Thursday 16 May 2024.

If you would like the opportunity to support the awards, please get in touch.

Join us for Oxfordshire Apprenticeships Hour (#OAHour) on Twitter @OxonApprentice from 13:00-14:00 every Thursday for latest on the Awards and join in the conversation using the hashtag #OAAwards2024.

The eighth 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 16 May 2024 at Williams Racing Conference Centre.

We’re delighted to introduce Milestone Infrastructure as sponsor of the Intermediate Apprentice of the Year Award.

Here, Phil Raven, Head of Technical Design – 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 are committed to supporting apprentices to develop their careers in civil engineering and the construction industry.

One of our apprentices was shortlisted for an award last year and so I attended the excellent awards ceremony – it was such a great opportunity to showcase the exciting career paths on offer and outstanding individuals/companies in so many different industries throughout Oxfordshire.

Milestone have been actively involved in supporting and developing a number of apprenticeships at different levels within Oxfordshire over the last 5 years to help us maintain the county’s road network. We therefore jumped at the chance to sponsor this award 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 have shown clear enthusiasm, commitment and initiative to make the most of the opportunity that their apprenticeship has given them. They will be able to demonstrate how they’ve applied the skills and knowledge they have gained, to help them progress in their early 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 to you. 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 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 19 February 2024. Finalists will be announced during Oxfordshire Apprenticeships Hour (hashtag #OAHour) on Twitter @OxonApprentice from 13:00 on Thursday 18 April 2024. Winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony on Thursday 16 May 2024.

If you would like the opportunity to support the awards, please get in touch.

Join us for Oxfordshire Apprenticeships Hour (#OAHour) on Twitter @OxonApprentice from 13:00-14:00 every Thursday for latest on the Awards and join in the conversation using the hashtag #OAAwards2024.

The eighth 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 16 May 2024 at Williams Racing Conference Centre.

We’re delighted to introduce Abbott Diabetes Care as sponsor of the Rising Star Award, which will recognise apprentices who have been in post for less than 9 months and have already excelled in their work, learning and development.

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 young 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 mixing 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 noone 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 19 February 2024. Finalists will be announced during Oxfordshire Apprenticeships Hour (hashtag #OAHour) on Twitter @OxonApprentice from 13:00 on Thursday 18 April 2024. Winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony on Thursday 16 May 2024.

If you would like the opportunity to support the awards, please get in touch.

Join us for Oxfordshire Apprenticeships Hour (#OAHour) on Twitter @OxonApprentice from 13:00-14:00 every Thursday for latest on the Awards and join in the conversation using the hashtag #OAAwards2024.

The eighth 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 16 May 2024 at Williams Racing Conference Centre.

We’re delighted to introduce IST INTECH as sponsor for the sixth 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 sixth 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 19 February 2024. Finalists will be announced during Oxfordshire Apprenticeships Hour (hashtag #OAHour) on Twitter @OxonApprentice from 13:00 on Thursday 18 April 2024. Winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony on Thursday 16 May 2024.

If you would like the opportunity to support the awards, please get in touch.

Join us for Oxfordshire Apprenticeships Hour (#OAHour) on Twitter @OxonApprentice from 13:00-14:00 every Thursday for latest on the Awards and join in the conversation using the hashtag #OAAwards2024.

The eighth 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 16 May 2024 at Williams Racing Conference Centre.

We’re delighted to introduce award-winning 5 star housebuilder Hill as sponsor of the Apprenticeship Ambassador Award, which will recognise individuals who go the extra mile to champion and promote apprenticeships in Oxfordshire.

Here, Ryan Harris, Regional Director at Hill Group UK (pictured left), 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?

As a rapidly growing business, Hill recognises the need for new talent coming into the industry and we believe one of the best ways to train and develop is through an apprenticeship, where you can learn the technical knowledge alongside gaining practical experience. So we are supporting the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards to commend the hard work and effort of the apprentices in the local region and recognise their aptitude to be nominated for these awards. As a local employer, we are committed to recruiting apprentices.

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 to make informed career choices. We are proud to be able to recognise that through this award.

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

We are looking for an inspirational individual who goes the extra mile to inspire the next generation through sharing their experiences.

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

Please do it! Be proud of what you have achieved and take this opportunity to celebrate whether you are an apprentice or a mentor who is nominating an apprentice.

Tell us about your organisation’s experience of apprenticeships

Hill Group are passionate about the apprenticeship route and as a business, we have 17% of our staff who have either been through or are currently on the Hill Management Trainee programme, achieving a degree-level qualification through an ‘earn as you learn’ role. We have recently been awarded Gold from the 5% club in recognition of our commitment to apprenticeships.

We encourage our supply chain to recruit or support apprentices through a shared apprenticeship scheme and recognise how vital site experience is to achieving their qualifications and building successful careers in our industry.

Hill are excited to be working in the Oxford region and are seeking to recruit local people to progress through our company. If you are interested in our Management Trainee programme or an apprenticeship opportunity 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 19 February 2024. Finalists will be announced during Oxfordshire Apprenticeships Hour (hashtag #OAHour) on Twitter @OxonApprentice from 13:00 on Thursday 18 April 2024. Winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony on Thursday 16 May 2024.

If you would like the opportunity to support the awards, please get in touch.

Join us for Oxfordshire Apprenticeships Hour (#OAHour) on Twitter @OxonApprentice from 13:00-14:00 every Thursday for latest on the Awards and join in the conversation using the hashtag #OAAwards2024.

The eighth 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 16 May 2024 at Williams Racing Conference Centre.

We’re delighted to introduce Oxford Professional Education as sponsor of the Inspiring the Future Employer Award, which will recognise employers in Oxfordshire who go the extra mile to inspire the next generation.

Here, Paul Jones, Apprenticeship Director at Oxford Professional Education, 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?

At Oxford Professional Education we passionately believe in the ability of apprenticeships to transform lives for learners, employers and the wider economy.

Our higher-level skills programmes are specifically designed to improve the productivity and economic output of Oxfordshire businesses and closely aligns with the key objectives of OxLEP Skills, namely:

• Supporting employers to access the right talent and skills to grow and stay in Oxfordshire
• Inspiring and preparing young people for the fast-changing world of work
• Enabling local people to better access job opportunities arising from the impacts of large-scale infrastructure development
• Working collaboratively with partners to support and deliver local skills initiatives

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

We’re looking for an employer who really goes the extra mile to inform and inspire the next generation.

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

Go for it! This is an opportunity to celebrate success and raise the profile of your organisation. Too often as a sector we hide our light under a bushel and do not promote or celebrate our successes – this is an opportunity to change that and recognise the hard work and support that employers put in place to help their apprentices to succeed.

Tell us about your organisation’s experience of apprenticeships

Oxford Professional Education Group have been delivering professional qualifications for over twenty years and have been delivering high quality apprenticeships for nearly 4 years.

Working closely with employers to develop bespoke programmes which best suit and benefit businesses, we are able to provide flexible, and practical training across all business and learning sectors.

Apprenticeship training is specifically tailored to ensure that skills are developed in-line with employer needs and requirements, giving apprentices a real advantage in the workplace and in turn providing them with better long-term prospects and excellent progression opportunities.

About the awards

The awards will be open for entries and nominations until midnight on the evening of Monday 19 February 2024. Finalists will be announced during Oxfordshire Apprenticeships Hour (hashtag #OAHour) on Twitter @OxonApprentice from 13:00 on Thursday 18 April 2024. Winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony on Thursday 16 May 2024.

If you would like the opportunity to support the awards, please get in touch.

Join us for Oxfordshire Apprenticeships Hour (#OAHour) on Twitter @OxonApprentice from 13:00-14:00 every Thursday for latest on the Awards and join in the conversation using the hashtag #OAAwards2024.