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 Olamalu as sponsor of the Apprenticeship Employer Award (<250 employees). The team at Olamalu help organisations to work better through their clever use of technology. They build websites, intranets, apps and can solve unique business challenges.

Here, Kate Berman, Director, explains why Olamalu have chosen to sponsor the awards and what apprenticeships mean to them.

Why are you supporting the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards?

The Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards celebrate the valuable role that apprenticeships play in the business community. It’s critical to keep telling stories of successful apprenticeships and raising awareness of the opportunities both to potential apprentices and to local businesses. By supporting these awards, we hope to make clear our commitment to apprenticeships as a way to get started in a career and to develop the skills to succeed in that career.

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

A clear commitment to apprenticeships as a way to bring value to both the apprentices and the organisation. Investment in learning and development throughout the apprenticeship and support for progression post-apprenticeship. An apprenticeship programme that is truly integrated into the organisation.

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

Give it a go! We should all celebrate the achievements of apprentices. There are so many wonderful stories of success to share. And you might inspire someone else to apply for an apprenticeship and start their own amazing apprentice story.

Tell us about your organisation’s experience of apprenticeships

From the moment we started the business, opening up opportunities for young people to join the technology industry has been at the heart of the way we operate. Getting started as a software developer is hard. Companies often only want to hire developers with a degree and several years of experience. We decided to follow a different path and develop our own entry-level programme. Apprenticeships form a vital part of this.

50% of our team came through the apprenticeship route, and our business wouldn’t be where it is today without them. The combination of academic learning and hands-on experience is invaluable for the apprentice and for the wider team. It’s a joy to see our apprentices grow their skills and knowledge and to see them take on bigger roles as they progress.

Our current apprenticeship programme is focused on a degree apprenticeship in digital technologies. This offers the apprentice the chance to earn a degree as they work in the industry, graduating with no student debt and several years’ experience of practical, relevant work. At the end of the apprenticeship, there are opportunities to progress to next level of role and to keep on growing and learning in the ever evolving digital world.

We were delighted to have been the winner of the Apprenticeship Employer of the Year (< 250 Employees) at the 2024 Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards and to then go on to be named winner of the BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT SME Apprenticeship Employer of the Year Award at the South East National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards 2024.

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 Popham Hairdressing 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 and made exceptional contributions to their workplaces.

Popham Hairdressing, an award-winning salon group based in Oxford, is the only UK hairdressing company to be awarded the Champion Investors in People award, demonstrating its commitment to good management and people development.

Here, Shirley Popham, Managing Director, explains why Popham Hairdressing 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 changed the whole way our training programme has been viewed and therefore the increased applications we receive.

Since winning the Apprenticeship Employer Award (<250 employees) in 2018, our apprenticeship programme is so strong and we are delighted to now have 77% homegrown staff, which makes a huge difference to the ongoing expansion and growth of Popham.

We have chosen to sponsor this category as our apprentice, Liv was a finalist in this category last year and we like the continuity that brings the award. I intend to bring her will our interviews, when judging the category.

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

An apprentice who has made a huge impact in their own career, in their way of being as well as for the company they work for, in the first year of the apprenticeship. Someone who really goes above and beyond in their approach to being an apprentice.

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

Enter, if you aren’t in it you can’t win it!

It is such an accolade from your employer to be nominated or just enter yourself – it really boosts morale and makes you see the value in yourself, which sometimes can be hard for people to see.

Tell us about your organisation’s experience of apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are a fundamental part of our business and make a difference to every day with our team. Without the support of our apprentices, our team could not deliver what they do. It was highlighted how much difference they make to us during the Covid come back when we weren’t allowed to utilise our apprentices.

We work very closely with a training provider who does the theoretical part of our programme and we do the practical part but fundamentally, the apprentices are our team.

It is a joy to see that 21 of our team have now come through our programme and to see them flying in their careers, makes it totally worthwhile.

I would recommend using an apprenticeship to train in our industry as opposed to a college, because its so much more. Its hands on, meaning you earn while you learn and when you qualify, you are actually able to perform your job, rather than starting from scratch.

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 Health NHS Foundation Trust as sponsor of the Inspiring The Future Employer Award, which will recognise employers in Oxfordshire who have gone the extra mile to inform and inspire the next generation, including engaging with local schools and colleges.

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, Head of Apprenticeships 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 very pleased to sponsor the Inspiring the Future Employer Award.

As a provider, but also a large employer, we know how important it is to inspire and support apprentices. We are looking forward to hearing about who is doing this particularly well and would like to shine a light on them.

We continue 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.

Vicky says: “Oxford Health are very excited to sponsor the ‘Inspiring the Future Employer Award.’ As a local employer ourselves, we know first-hand the importance of engaging with local schools and colleges to inspire, educate and promote lifelong learning opportunities. We can’t wait to meet the nominees and hear about their exciting initiatives.”

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

We are looking for an employer who goes that extra mile to inspire the next generation, as well as support their learners to achieve and thrive. We would like to hear about how employers encourage and support their apprentices to engage with school and colleges, so that young people are enthused and curious about apprenticeship programmes.

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

Do not think twice! There are numerous benefits to entering or nominating an employer; including recognition, sharing of good practice, 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 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.

OxLEP offers the following update with regards to the procurement of the following services which was originally published on this website on 10 October 2024.

The update relates to the following lots:

Skills Bootcamps for Oxfordshire 2024/2025
Procurement Ref: Skills – #SB1
Lot: 3 Digital Marketing
Notice that procurement of has been abandoned.

Skills Bootcamps for Oxfordshire 2024/2025
Procurement Ref: Skills – #SB1
Lot: 4 Data Analytics
Notice that procurement of has been abandoned.

We refer to the above procurement for services.

Please note that we have taken the decision not to proceed with the procurement of Lot 3 and Lot 4 for the following reasons:

1. To preserve public funds; and
2. To consider overall funding environment as required by the Skills Bootcamps.

We will be giving notice advising of an incomplete procedure in the UK e-notification service confirming this decision.

Please note that we do not intend to commence a new procurement process for these services.

The ‘Grow Your Own’ Apprenticeship Levy Pledge initiative is a key part of the government-funded Social Contract Programme – however Oxfordshire funds will be returned to the Treasury if they remain unused.

OxLEP Skills is urging Oxfordshire businesses to get in touch if they’re interested in taking on an apprentice – or upskilling current staff through apprenticeships – to find out if they could be eligible to funds, with less than six months until the programme is currently set to draw to a close.

Employers with an annual pay bill of over £3m pay 0.5% of this as an apprenticeship levy and are able to pledge up to 50% of their levy annually. Through the ‘Grow Your Own’ Apprenticeship Levy Pledge Initiative, businesses are supported in pledging their unused levy funds and transferring them to eligible Oxfordshire based small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), charities and social enterprises to help fund their apprenticeship training and assessment.

Since the programme began back in May 2022, over £2.3m has been successfully allocated through the fund, with £1.3m remaining to eligible businesses to fulfill their own apprenticeship aspirations. Any funds that remain unused after the programme end will be lost to Oxfordshire and over a period of time returned to the Treasury – so OxLEP Skills are urging willing recipients to get in touch today.

Since May 2022, over £3.6m has been pledged through the initiative – far exceeding an original £1.3 million target of pledges set for the Social Contract programme – with 251 apprenticeships created in Oxfordshire since the programme began.

The Social Contract programme is a £1.7 million programme of activity funded by the government’s Contain Outbreak Management Fund, via Oxfordshire County Council and led by OxLEP Skills – to address the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic relating to unemployment, barriers to employment, education, and training.

Sally Andreou, Skills Hub Manager at OxLEP – said: “Our ‘Grow Your Own’ Apprenticeship Levy Pledge Initiative has been hugely successful since it began, and we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of larger businesses in ensuring apprenticeship levy funds are retained within the county – and supporting the county’s SMEs to fulfill their own apprenticeship ambitions.

“We really want to get across the urgency of organisations in the county getting in touch – even if they’re unsure as to whether they’re eligible to the levy funds – with our Apprenticeship Advisor team, to find out what support could be available to them, as the pledged levy won’t be here forever and it’s vital as much skills support as possible remains here in the county.

“Understandably, not all of our SMEs in Oxfordshire feel they are in a place to take on a new employee at this time – however another thing we want to stress is the impact apprenticeships can have in upskilling current employees and unlocking new opportunities and expertise with existing staff members also.

“Whatever your business’ skills and training ambitions, the time is certainly now though to ensure those funds get utilised – it really is a case of ‘use it or lose it’.”

Find out if your business could be eligible to take up the levy funding, pledge your own levy, or find out more about the other initiatives within the Social Contract by getting in touch with OxLEP Skills’ Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Advisors today: skills@oxfordshirelep.com.

The skills gap in the UK continues to be a significant challenge for businesses, particularly as industries evolve and new demands emerge. Apprenticeships are one of the most effective solutions to this challenge, offering businesses a way to grow their own skilled workforce while playing a part in the growth of their community by creating opportunities for individuals to gain valuable work experience and become a loyal and skilled employee. However, navigating the financial aspects of hiring an apprenticecan be complex. That’s where the OxLEP Skills Apprenticeship Levy Scheme comes in – a resource designed to make apprenticeships more accessible and beneficial for businesses of all sizes.

What is the Apprenticeship Levy?

The Apprenticeship Levy is a UK government initiative introduced in April 2017, aimed at boosting investment in apprenticeships and ensuring businesses take an active role in developing the skills of their future workforce. The levy applies to businesses with an annual wage bill of over £3 million, which are required to pay 0.5% of their payroll towards the levy. Large employers who are not making full use of their levy can pledge their levy via the OxLEP Skills Apprenticeship Levy Scheme. OxLEP Skills has been able ringfence over £1.6 million of unused levy for the use of small and medium sized business in Oxfordshire to access and use to help towards the cost of taking on an apprentice or upskilling current staff via an apprenticeship.

Smaller businesses that don’t pay the levy can access apprenticeship funding, with the government covering 95% of the cost of apprenticeship training for these companies. This makes it an attractive option for SMEs looking to grow and future-proof their workforce!

The benefits of the OxLEP Skills Apprenticeship Levy Scheme

At OxLEP Skills, we understand that small and medium businesses need to make the most of their resources, and the Apprenticeship Levy Scheme is designed to do just that. If you are a small or medium business in Oxfordshire seeking to benefit from apprenticeship funding, the scheme can help you recruit, train, and retain talented individuals. Here are some key advantages of engaging with the OxLEP Skills Apprenticeship Levy Scheme:

1. Recruit and train the workforce of tomorrow

Apprenticeships allow businesses to shape the development of individuals from the start of their careers. By providing tailored training and real-world experience, businesses can ensure that apprentices learn the specific skills needed for their industry. Through the levy scheme, businesses can use funds to recruit apprentices who will contribute to the company’s growth while gaining invaluable qualifications. As apprenticeships range across various industries, including engineering, digital, construction, and health care, businesses can hire from a wide pool of talent.

2. Maximise the use of levy funds in Oxfordshire while they last

OxLEP Skills has retained over £3.6 million in levy pledges from large employers across the county, and has been able to allocate a first £2.3 million to helping small and medium businesses embark on an apprenticeship journey. However, there is still over £1.3 million worth of pledged levy yet to be utilised by small and medium businesses across Oxfordshire which will be lost if not used by March 2025. If you are a small or medium business in Oxfordshire who is considering upskilling or recruiting via apprenticeships, get in touch with OxLEP Skills to see how funding from the Apprenticeship Levy Scheme could help your business on the path to growth.

3. Support business growth and development

Apprenticeship schemes are proven to improve productivity, bring fresh perspectives, and support business growth. By investing in apprenticeships, businesses can cultivate a loyal and skilled workforce, filling any potential skills gaps and ensuring long-term success. OxLEP Skills works closely with businesses to identify their skills needs and match them with suitable apprenticeship programmes, ensuring that the training aligns with the company’s strategic goals.

4. Attract and retain talent

In today’s competitive job market, attracting and retaining the right talent is essential. Apprenticeships provide businesses with the opportunity to develop individuals from within, creating a motivated and skilled workforce. Apprentices who have been trained in-house are more likely to remain with the business, as they feel valued and invested in. This reduces the cost of recruitment and employee turnover while fostering loyalty among staff.

5. Flexible training for employees at all levels

Apprenticeships aren’t just for school leavers or those new to a role. Many businesses use the levy to upskill existing employees, offering them the opportunity to gain new qualifications and advance within the organisation. Whether it’s leadership training for management or technical skills development for operational staff, the flexibility of apprenticeship programmes allows businesses to create tailored learning opportunities for employees at all stages of their careers.

How OxLEP Skills can help your business

At OxLEP Skills, we’re committed to helping Oxfordshire businesses tap into the potential of apprenticeships through the Apprenticeship Llevy Sscheme. We offer tailored support to ensure businesses of all sizes understand how to access and make the most of apprenticeship funding.

From identifying the right apprenticeship programme to guiding you through the funding process, our expert team of Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Advisors is here to help. By facilitating levy transfers, we are enabling large employers to transfer up to 50%of their levy funds to smaller businesses or charities within their network. This collaborative approach strengthens the local business community, ensuring all organisations have access to the skills training they need to thrive.

Get started with OxLEP Skills Apprenticeship Levy Scheme

If your business is looking to grow and invest in the future workforce, the OxLEP Skills Apprenticeship Levy Scheme is here to support you. We can help you navigate the process and find the right apprenticeship opportunities for your business’ needs.

To find out more about how OxLEP Skills can help your business maximise its potential through apprenticeships, visit our apprenticeship support for employers web page or contact our team at skills@oxfordshirelep.com.

OxLEP Skills have announced the significant rollout of our ‘No Limits’ inclusive employability support programme across the Cherwell 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 Cherwell until March 2025 by Cherwell District Council, through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and is being delivered by food distribution and education charity SOFEA.

The programme aims to provide person-centred support for Cherwell residents (aged 16 plus) who are seeking employment, or who are economically inactive (i.e. not actively seeking work), to address barriers they may have to accessing education, training or employment.

This may include individuals who have experienced physical and mental health challenges, a form of exclusion, domestic violence, unemployment, redundancy and low skills/qualification attainment.

The programme is set to provide individuals with up to 30 hours of 1:1 support with finding employment, education, or training – with support in areas such as CV writing, application forms and preparation for interviews.

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 Cherwell, through this UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation. We are excited to continue our partnership with the fantastic SOFEA on this project, which aims to help local people gain skills and access resources that can support them into employment.” 

“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.”

Councillor Lesley McLean, Deputy Leader of Cherwell District Council and Portfolio Holder for Finance, Property and Regeneration, said: “There are all sorts of reasons why people might need a helping hand returning to the workforce or to education.

“This important investment is a sign that we believe in our residents’ potential – we want people to flourish in work and education and the No Limits programme is an excellent way for people to embrace new skills and opportunities as they prepare for the next stage of their careers.”

To access the ‘No Limits’ programme, or refer someone for support, please contact Taraji Ogunnubi, ‘No Limits’ Programme Manager at SOFEA on tel: 07507 121281 or email: Taraji@sofea.uk.com

To find out more about the ‘No Limits’ programme, visit our employability support page.

Updated: 31 October 2024.

Please note that OxLEP have taken the decision not to proceed with the procurement of Lot 3 and Lot 4, as previously listed here. 

Full details can be found via the below link.

Ahead of World Space Week 2024, which runs from 4th to 10th October, Oxfordshire Careers Hub held a fantastic Teacher Encounters event, kindly hosted by Satellite Applications Catapult on the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus.

Oxfordshire teachers and careers professionals attended to find out first-hand about all the amazing work and career opportunities at Catapult. They heard Vicky Patterson from Wheatley Park School and Oliver Goodyear from Oxford Biomedica talking about their experience of working together to develop a lesson resource, had a tour of the operations room to see some of the amazing satellite technology in action and took part in the monthly Satuccino networking event to make connections with amazing individuals working for exciting organisations in the space sector.

It was a great afternoon and there was a real buzz in the room, with teachers saying how inspired they were and how they had already made connections between what they teach and what businesses are doing, which they will be sharing with their students.

We look forward to seeing how the links made develop and to holding lots more Teacher Encounters across Oxfordshire!

The aim of the Careers & Enterprise Company’s Teacher Encounters programme is to provide an opportunity for teachers to engage directly with employers to see and learn about the different career pathways relevant to their subjects, and to observe how their subject is applied practically in business. They can then take this learning back to the classroom to inform and inspire their students.

Watch our Teacher Encounters launch film with Oxford Biomedica to find out more:

You may be aware of the unfortunate news that Adviza Partnership entered administration on 25th September 2024.

If you are a careers professional in a school/college looking for support with 1:1 careers guidance this year, we have created a list of local providers for you to get in touch with:

Organisations

• Career Connect: https://careerconnect.org.uk
• EC Careers: https://eccareers.com – contact Cat Akkerman on catrien@eccareers.com or 07725 990980
• Franklin Hammond: www.franklinhammond.co.uk – email Vikki Franklin at vikki@franklinhammond.co.uk
• Future Smart Careers (currently run the ASK programme in Oxfordshire): www.futuresmartcareers.co.uk/for-schools, email: askoxfordshire@futuresmartcareers.co.uk

Freelance Careers Advisers

• Brighter Careers Coaching – www.brightercareerscoaching.co.uk, email Charlotte van den Berghen at  charlotte@brightercareerscoaching.co.uk
• Helen Calkin – helen@healthandsafety4education.com
• Tanya Jarrett – trjjarrett@outlook.com
• Antonio Ortega – davidoa13@gmail.com, LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/antonioortega2607
• Colette Wedgbrow – colettew@workexperienceservices.co.uk

Training

• Career Development Professional Level 6 Apprenticeship – www.callofthewild.co.uk/career-development-professional-level-6-higher-apprenticeship

The announcement comes as £296,000 has been successfully awarded by all five district councils for the continuation of the programme through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).  

OxLEP Skills is delighted to announce the continuation of the ‘No Limits‘ programme, which was established in November 2022 as part of the Social Contract Programme, a £1.7million programme of activity to support those communities most impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and moving forwards, the cost-of-living crisis, funded by the government’s Contain Outbreak Management Fund via Oxfordshire County Council and led by OxLEP Skills. 

Throughout 19 food larders and other community settings across Oxfordshire, the ‘No Limits’ programme has supported over 600 individuals with skills and employability support, digital devices and travel bursaries.   

The programme is being delivered through two of Oxfordshire’s most enterprising charities, SOFEA Didcot and Aspire Oxfordshire and is now set to continue through to March 2025.  

The programme aims to target five groups identified as the people most in need in our communities:   

• Young people who have experienced education disturbance and/or unemployment, or at risk of NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) 
• Minority ethnic communities who could benefit from improved social mobility 
• Those furthest from the labour market, with employment support for those identified as Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) for Covid and/or affected by the digital divide, food poverty or other socio-economic deprivation  
• The over 50s, by offering support which will enable individuals to contribute to the economy into later life through longer and flexible careers  
• Residents who are economically inactive who want to get back to work

The programme provides up to 30 hours of 1-1 support with finding employment, education, or training – through support with CV writing, application forms and preparation for interviews.  

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.  

The programme also has a key focus on green skills within some areas of the county– signposting and raising awareness of green skills courses, available free for residents of these areas.  

Other barriers to employment, education or training – such as access to certifications or training – can also be funded through the programme.  

The news comes this Employability Day (13 September), an awareness day providing the opportunity for employment support organisations and employers to celebrate their hard work supporting people to enter or progress in employment (an Employment Related Services Association initiative), which this year has the theme ‘Employment Support for Every Citizen’.

Sally Andreou – Skills Hub Manager at OxLEP – said: “OxLEP Skills is delighted to be able to continue the ‘No Limits’ programme with the support of UKSPF funding. We are excited to continue our partnership with SOFEA and Aspire on this project, which aims to help local people gain skills and access resources that can support them into employment.”   

Funding has also been secured through the UKSPF to provide courses in sectors where skills are in demand, such as green construction and care, to help people to get closer to employment and/or training. ‘No Limits’ will signpost and create awareness of these courses to open opportunities to new career pathways for Oxfordshire residents that fit into one of the five target groups.   

Funding has been received by Cherwell District Council, Oxford City Council, South Oxfordshire District Council, Vale of White Horse District Council and West Oxfordshire District Council for the continuation of the ‘No Limits’ Programme through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Finding a way to get further training in your chosen career can be difficult, especially if you’re already employed. But did you know that it’s possible to train via an apprenticeship while working for your current employer?

You may be unsure about how to start the conversation with your employer but don’t worry, both yourself, your employer and the organisation will benefit from the extra training, so have a look at our tips on how to approach the topic.

Before addressing your training needs, it’s important to have as much information as possible. It will be helpful to:

• Find an apprenticeship standard that meets your role and your development requirements
• Understand the skills that you’ll be learning
• Know how this will positively impact your work, your team, your manager and the business

Help is at hand!

OxLEP Skills’ Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Advisers Leah Bryan and Nikki Cooper provide fully funded, expert, impartial advice to help employers with every aspect of apprenticeships. Ask your employer to get in touch at skills@oxfordshirelep.com.

How to bring apprenticeships up as a topic

If you’d like to have an official conversation with your employer, you could schedule a meeting and come prepared or bring it up during your regular 1:1 meetings or annual review. Remember – you are discussing your training needs and how it will develop your skills, but also make a note of how this benefits them as well as you. Why should they support it? What do they get out of it? What will you be able to do differently for your employer as a result of the apprenticeship? Do further research into what apprenticeship programme you’re interested in and pitch it almost as a business case.

You may prefer to pursue the topic less formally in conversation before asking to meet. For example, take a look at some of our case studies from other organisations that have benefited from apprenticeships which you can use for both a conversation starter and evidence in a formal meeting.

As well as speaking to your manager, you can also look into ways to contact the learning and development or HR department at your company. They should be able to advise of any existing and available apprenticeship training.

Benefit to employers

It’s known that it has become very difficult to find qualified professionals to fill positions and keep them within the organisation. So explaining to your employer that you would like further training can solve many of their problems. For example, they don’t need to struggle with hiring new people, they will gain qualified, skilled workers in the organisation and it doesn’t have to be expensive.

Support is available through an apprenticeship

If you are on an apprenticeship, there will be expert tutors guiding you to ensure that you learn all of the necessary skills, knowledge and behaviours to succeed in your career. For a business, this means that they do not need to take already qualified colleagues away from their day-to-day jobs to train existing colleagues.

Off-the-job training doesn’t have to mean that you’re not working

Managers can be reluctant to explore apprenticeship options as they require off-the-job training time of at least six hours a week, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t be working.

From a business perspective, they will be losing you temporarily for a few hours a week while you train to become a better, more skilled and experienced employee. The key to a healthy and happy organisation is for them to continue to motivate employees and support their needs. By doing this, you will be much more likely to stay within the company rather than seek opportunities elsewhere.

Think of it this way: would they rather lose you for a few hours a week, or lose you altogether? The apprenticeship route means that your manager isn’t losing hours from any existing employees to train you, or losing you to another workplace. Overall, the workplace will grow much stronger and happier.

There are funding options available

If you are introducing apprenticeships to your employer, you may not initially be aware of the funding options.

If they are paying into the apprenticeship levy:

If your organisation has an annual PAYE bill of more than £3 million, they will be paying the apprenticeship levy, so, why not make use of these existing funds to upskill you? If your organisation has unused levy funding then that could be going to waste, as any unused funding returns to the Treasury after two years.

If they are not paying into the apprenticeship levy:

If your employer does not pay the apprenticeship levy, the government will fund all apprenticeship training costs for apprentices who are 16–21 years old when they start training. The government will also fund training for apprentices who are 22–24 years old and have an education, health and care (EHC) plan from their local authority, or who have been in their local authority’s care (there is no upper age limit for doing an apprenticeship). This makes the apprenticeship route much cheaper than in-house training as they do not need to pay for existing workers to train you, or the equipment required for training.

Apprenticeship support for employers

If your employer would like some advice and support with setting up an apprenticeship for you, accessing the apprenticeship levy, or they have any questions, ask them to get in touch with our Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Advisers Leah Bryan and Nikki Cooper, who provide expert, impartial advice to help employers with every aspect of apprenticeships, at skills@oxfordshirelep.com. There is no charge for this support as it is funded through our Social Contract Programme through the government’s Contain Outbreak Management Fund, via Oxfordshire County Council.