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 across a wide range of sectors. 

The awards will open for entries and nominations on 16 November and close at midnight on the evening of 19 February 2024. The awards celebration event will be held on 16 May 2024 from 18:30 – 21:30 at Williams Racing Conference Centre in Grove.

We are looking for an event/video company to work closely with the Skills Hub team to help us deliver a professional awards evening. Please download our brief to find out more.

Quotes and confirmation of brief to be submitted by 17:00 on Thursday 30 November 2023.

If you have any queries, please contact Melanie Ringer on melanie.ringer@oxfordshirelep.com or 07880 042658.

Over £1 million of unused apprenticeship levy has now been secured in levy transfers across Oxfordshire to open the door to new apprenticeship opportunities and talent.

The levy transfers, facilitated by the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s (OxLEP) Skills team (OxLEP Skills), form part of a wider programme of activity to support the creation of new jobs and talent within the local business community.

Hitting this milestone means that OxLEP Skills has now reached over 75% of its £1.3 million target for levy pledges as part of the Social Contract Programme. The £1.7 million initiative was set up in May 2022, introduced as part of a number of measures aimed at helping Oxfordshire’s economic recovery from the pandemic.

The Social Contract Programme aims to boost the county’s skills and drive economic growth, helping local companies tap into their apprenticeship levy and unlock new talent in their workforce through training and assessment.

This milestone achievement has been made possible by employers across the region taking part in the scheme. Pledging their investment in apprentices, employers are opening the door to opportunities available to them in the local area and helping to retain talent locally.

The apprenticeship levy, paid by large employers with an annual pay bill of £3 million or more, can choose to transfer up to 25% of their levy funds each year to help other businesses pay for their apprenticeship training and assessment.

Sally Andreou, Skills Hub Manager at OxLEP, said: “Hitting this £1 million target is a major milestone for the team at OxLEP Skills and we are thrilled to have the support of so many local businesses. These employers are making a real difference in their communities, supporting the volume and quality of apprenticeships across the region by pledging their unused levy funds.

Apprenticeships are a vital part of our economy, and by reinvesting apprenticeship levy funding we can support smaller businesses in the county to grow their workforce and retain high quality talent by helping them to develop the skills they need.”

She added: “We have a growing list of employers who have pledged their unused Levy several times, including Pearson, JDE Banbury and the University of Oxford. We encourage small businesses in Oxfordshire who have not yet taken advantage of the funds available through the apprenticeship levy transfer scheme to get involved and unlock the door to a growing future workforce.”

One of the many organisations benefitting from the levy transfer scheme in Oxfordshire is Hedena Health. After taking advantage of the apprenticeship levy transfer scheme in 2022, with support from OxLEP Skills and the Thames Valley Primary Care Workforce, Hedena Health successfully filled an apprenticeship position in Oxford with funding transferred from local large employer JDE Banbury.

Through the scheme, apprentice Bethany Lawrence began her two-year apprenticeship as an Apprentice Healthcare Assistant in October 2022. As Hedena’s first apprentice, the success of the role has started conversation around the different qualification pathways into healthcare and could provide a solution to the immense pressure and talent shortage currently being faced by the NHS.

To find out how your business can pledge unused apprenticeship levy or gain access to funding or support for an apprenticeship, please contact OxLEP’s apprenticeship advisors via skills@oxfordshirelep.com.

An ambitious new Community Employment Plan has been published to set out how Oxford North will maximise the opportunities created for local people and businesses during the next 18 months of construction which includes a target to create more than 50 new apprenticeships.

Initial infrastructure construction and drainage works started on-site in August 2021 and are near completion.

Delivered through The Hill Group’s infrastructure team, the works have resulted in 251 new jobs and six apprenticeships.

As the project has moved into its next phase to build the Red Hall, first two lab buildings and new central park along with Hill‘s Canalside new homes and Careys‘ A44 improvement works, the construction partners have signed up to employment, skills and training targets. These cover local labour, supply chain and procurement, engaging with education, youth and apprenticeships and disadvantaged communities.

The Community Employment Plan is part of the strategic Training, Employment & Business Strategy, which was approved by Oxford City Council with OxLEP as part of the vision to ensure that Oxford North is a significant and intended stimulant for the local economy and employment market to create aspiration and opportunity for local people.

Deliverables have been agreed to reflect the nature of the next phase of works and include a minimum 15% local Oxfordshire employment, 55 apprenticeships, 37 work experience opportunities, 680 hours of volunteering, career events, school engagement and site tours.

Image: Alex Morley, Trainee Site Manager, The Hill Group.

An Oxford North social value steering group is in place that includes Oxford City Council, OxLEP, Department of Work & Pensions, Abingdon & Witney College, Activate Learning, Aspire and Construction Industry Training Board.

The Steering Group will meet quarterly and were on-site on 7 June (see above image) to review the new Community Employment Plan and how they will support the sourcing of local candidates.

Victoria Collett, Development Director at Thomas White Oxford, said: “We have a passionate belief in the value that apprenticeships and jobs can have in increasing social mobility and supporting businesses to grow.

“In the last two years, the enabling infrastructure works have been carried out, before the first new homes, labs, offices, parks and amenities start being built for Oxford’s new innovation district. We’re proud that this early phase of work saw local job creation, including some first generation employees in construction.

“As our project continues, these opportunities will increase, not only in the construction phases but also in the future through the life sciences and tech companies that locate at Oxford North, which will help ensure we have a resilient economy. We are grateful to our construction partners for the care and attention they have given to maximising opportunities and the positive social impact we can have.”

David Camp, Chief Executive Officer at Stanhope plc, added: “As Oxford North’s construction continues, part of this plan is to continue engaging with our wider supply chain to maximise opportunities for local people by providing apprenticeships for school leavers and graduate positions within the immediate phase of construction, for example, excavation and substructure works, fit out works, landscaping, green skills and much more.

“As we move into the building phase there will be further apprenticeship opportunities available. We are liaising with schools, colleges and universities to help explain the range of exciting skills and careers available in the construction industry.”

Tom Storey, Social Value Consultant at Storey Consulting, added: “Oxford North pioneers a transformative approach through forging pathways to prosperous careers, apprenticeships and work experience. They are committing to maximising social impact through planning, procuring and delivering each stage of the project. Our collaboration with colleges, the council and local stakeholders ensures a region-wide approach, catalyses growth and creates an opportunity for all.”

Oxford North is a new £700 million global innovation district being built on 64 acres of land within Oxford city’s northern boundary. The project is being delivered by joint venture commercial development partners Thomas White Oxford, the development company of St John’s College, with Cadillac Fairview and Stanhope, alongside residential development partner The Hill Group. Oxford North will contribute circa £150 million per year in GVA to the economy.

A new, dedicated Jobs page has been set-up where people can view the range of Oxford North jobs currently available.

The seventh annual Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards once again shone 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 across a wide range of sectors.

Around 170 guests attended a fantastic celebration evening on 18 May 2023 at the iconic Williams Racing Confreence Centre to hear the winners and highly commended finalists announced. They are listed below.

Intermediate Apprentice of the Year

Winner:

• Joshua Read-Strahan – Apprentice Sports Coach, Ignite Sport UK

Highly commended:

• Cameron Bastable – Healthcare Support Worker Apprentice, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Timmy Blake – Palace Maintenance Assistant, Blenheim Palace

Advanced Apprentice of the Year

Winner:

• Cerys Massey – Clinical Services Administrator, Woodstock Surgery

Highly commended:

• Emilia Callaghan – Events and Hospitality Apprentice, Blenheim Palace
• Kelly Huggard – HR Coordinator, Blenheim Palace

Higher / Degree Apprentice of the Year

Winner:

• Chez Bousfield – CAHMS Service Improvement Coordinator, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust

Highly commended:

• Wendy Matshazi – Learning and Development Lead, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
• Elliot O’Brien – Architectural Apprentice, Jessop and Cook Architects

Special Recognition Award

Winner:

• Tiffany Hickman – Finance Apprentice, Blenheim Palace

Highly commended:

• Jamie Kavanagh – Insight Analyst, Oxfordshire County Council
• Katie Sweet – Apprentice Technician, JDE Banbury

Rising Star Award

Winner:

• Lucy Parsons – Apprentice Finance and Accounting Technician, University of Oxford

Highly commended:

• Fi Thomas – Commercial Procurement Apprentice, Oxford City Council
• Jasmine Williams – Spa Apprentice, Minster Mill, Andrew Brownsword Hotel Group

Shining Star Award

Winner:

• Danielle Hoare – HR & Communications Officer, Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford

Highly commended:

• Jessica Aguirre – Trainee Claims and Inquests Officer, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Nairne Barker – Business Development Executive, Abingdon & Witney College

Apprenticeship Ambassador Award

Winner:

• Grace Robinson – Apprentice Mechatronic Technician, JDE Banbury

Highly commended:

• Grace Dawson – EPA Coordinator, Explosive Learning Solutions
• Jamie Kavanagh – Insight Analyst, Oxfordshire County Council

Careers Champion Award

Winner:

• Claire Christiansen – Careers Lead, Larkmead School

Highly commended:

• Andrew Hemming – Assistant Head Teacher, Chilworth House Upper School
• Jackie Mustoe – Careers Lead and Exams Manager, Carterton Community College

Inspiring the Future Employer of the Year

Winner:

• Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons

Highly commended:

• Explosive Learning Solutions
• Hill Group

Training Provider Individual Award

Winner:

• Sonia King – Pre-apprentice Training Co-ordinator, ACE Training

Highly commended:

• Emma Corless – Learning and Development Manager, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
• Iwona Elliott – Learning and Development Lead, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust

Apprenticeship Employer of the Year (Less Than 250 Employees)

Winner:

• Oxfordshire Youth

Highly commended:

• FMB Oxford
• Williams Jet Tenders

Apprenticeship Employer of the Year (250 or More Employees)

Winner:

• Oxfordshire County Council

Highly commended:

• Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
• Taylor & Francis

Oxfordshire Apprentice of the Year

Winner:

• Joshua Read-Strahan – Apprentice Sports Coach, Ignite Sport UK

Last year we announced the launch of the Social Contract Programme, £1.7m-worth of activity funded by the government’s Contain Outbreak Management Fund to remove barriers to employment for individuals impacted most by the pandemic or experiencing challenges to employment, education and training.

The programme also aims to support businesses based in the county looking to champion apprenticeships through ‘unlocking’ or transferring their Apprenticeship Levy.

A key initiative within the Social Contract Programme sets out to encourage Oxfordshire businesses to ‘Grow your Own’ talent, utilising the Apprenticeship Levy or pledging it elsewhere in the county.

With £3.3billion of unspent Apprenticeship Levy returned to HM Treasury in 2021, OxLEP Skills are urging businesses to make the most of these funds – or where this is not possible internally, work towards your Corporate Social Responsibility goals for 2023 by supporting apprenticeships within your fellow Oxfordshire organisations.

Over the past few months we have shared the stories of numerous businesses who have engaged with the programme, by pledging their Apprenticeship Levy with support from the Social Contract – with Jacobs Douwe Egberts UK and the University of Oxford just two of the organisations to take the Social Contract ‘levy pledge pot’ over £163,000.

These Apprenticeship Levy pledges are enormously valuable to the county’s SMEs, growth businesses and organisations looking to grow their teams or support their existing skills ambitions.

One of these businesses is Witney-based Edgars Limited, with the award-winning Oxfordshire Planning Consultancy constantly looking to evolve their staff team and support the various routes to gain skills within the county, through initiatives such as apprenticeship schemes.

Utilising funding pledged by the University of Oxford, Edgars have created two Level 7 Town Planning Degree Apprenticeships – now being occupied by Charlie Bowyer, a post-graduate from Oxford Brookes University and Sam Biles, a school leaver who has advanced through the apprenticeship route to this Level 7 opportunity.

Charlie and Sam are just two examples of how supporting apprenticeships within the county can contribute to highlighting the value of different – or numerous – skills pathways, particularly to young people, those looking to change career, or those looking to gain skills, qualifications and work their way up through an organisation because they may otherwise face challenges entering their preferred profession – or the labour market in general.

Jayne Norris, Co-Director of Edgars – said: “OxLEP Skills successfully facilitated the Apprenticeship Levy transfer for us through the Social Contract Programme and helped guide us through this process.

“We feel privileged to have partnered with the University of Oxford and OxLEP Skills and that our apprentices can be proud that they’re being sponsored by the University.

“The Apprenticeship Levy transfer funds ensure we’re able to train and develop our apprentices to the high standards we expect from our staff. It also has a knock-on effect, as this investment allows us to invest in our local community and provide opportunities that might not have been possible otherwise.

“We’re hugely passionate about supporting apprenticeships here at Edgars and see it as the way forward – we strongly believe there is great benefit in having employees from diverse backgrounds and providing opportunities such as apprenticeships also helps with staff engagement and retention.

“We’ve also received support through the Social Contract Apprenticeship Grant Scheme, which can be used towards travel costs – through means such as driving lessons, as well as reducing other barriers for apprentices, such as key course-related activities.

“Any assistance for a small business is beneficial to help us grow and develop.”

Sam Biles, one of the Edgars Planners pursuing their apprenticeship with support received through the Social Contract’s ‘Grow Your Own’ Apprenticeship Levy transfer initiative – said: “This year I will begin the Level 7 element of my Chartered Town Planner apprenticeship and I’m excited to continue developing the knowledge and skills that will help me both academically and in the work environment.

“I’m grateful to Oxford University and OxLEP Skills for their support and would urge others to explore apprenticeships if they are interested – it’s a unique and worthwhile experience.”

Charlie Bowyer, a Graduate Planner at Edgars also furthering his studies with support from the programme, said: “Having the opportunity to complete my postgraduate studies whilst working within Oxfordshire had always been an ambition of mine – and now this opportunity has arisen, largely due to the funding received from the University of Oxford.

“I feel fortunate to have received this funding and want to demonstrate why Oxfordshire can produce some of the best apprentices around – largely due to the opportunity and trust provided through initiatives such as this.”

Helen Johnson, Apprenticeship Manager at the University of Oxford, said of the University’s involvement within the programme: “The University approved the implementation of our Apprenticeship Strategy in 2021, showing our commitment to apprenticeships.

“One of the aims of this is to ensure that we are transferring the full 25% allowance of our annual levy to other organisations. We are delighted that we have so far committed to over £1.1 million of levy transfer to charities, healthcare, SMEs, women in tech, as well as organisations within our supply chain.

“We aim to make the process as simple as possible to encourage other organisations to transfer unspent levy to others.”

There are currently around 220 businesses in Oxfordshire that pay the Apprenticeship Levy, but are currently not utilising it. Engaging in the Social Contract programme and retaining levy funds locally will support vital skills growth across Oxfordshire and help employers develop talent pipelines and retain key skills within the county.

To make the whole process as easy and as simple as possible for a business to transfer their Apprenticeship Levy, OxLEP Skills also have two ‘Apprenticeship Advisors’ who can offer their time totally free of charge.

Join OxLEP Skills’ mission to ‘Grow your Own’ talent here in Oxfordshire, whilst benefiting from free support and advice for your organisation through our Social Contract Programme.

OxLEP and its Oxfordshire Careers Hub – which works with 53 schools and colleges across the county to develop their careers provision – has shown its support for a new England-wide initiative that aims to equip the county’s teachers with the knowledge needed to support decision-making by young people on potential career pathways.

It has backed long-term partner organisation, The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) and its new pilot project – the ‘Teacher Encounters’ programme – set to bring together 1,000 teachers and 200 businesses from across England to boost collaboration and improve young people’s career opportunities.

The national project will connect teachers to employers to bring skills and workplace experience into classrooms. It will engage a range of businesses – from SMEs through to major multinationals – including companies like; Rolls Royce, Cap Gemini, BAE Systems, construction giant Balfour Beatty and the international film studio Pinewood.

The initiative is also supported by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

Earlier this month, OxLEP and the CEC kicked-off its support of the initiative in Oxfordshire through a ‘teacher encounter’ event held at Oxford Biomedica (pictured above) – an Oxford-based life sciences company, developing gene and cell therapies that aim to change the lives of patients around the world.

During the ‘teacher encounter’, representatives of OxLEP, the CEC, Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford Biomedica were joined by science teachers from across some of Oxford’s city schools. Information was shared about the important work that Oxford Biomedica does, as well as the early career pathways available.

This highlighted to teachers the ambitions of science and technology-focused businesses like Oxford Biomedica, enabling them to go back to their respective classrooms and engage their students on how, what they are learning, will support them in achieving their future aspirations

Continued similar ‘teacher encounters’ will aim to ultimately inspire the career journeys of many young people from across the county.

This new initiative is a key recommendation of The Times Education Commission and comes as studies show teachers are a key source of career inspiration for students.

The programme will bring teachers together with local businesses to:

• Develop a deeper understanding of local jobs, including the routes-in like apprenticeships and the skills required in the world of work
• Pursue teachers’ interests by exploring ways of enriching the curriculum; connecting learning in lessons to how it is applied in the workplace
• Build a shared understanding of the similarities and differences between school and work life

Evidence from two early test pilots in Oxfordshire and Berkshire show support among teachers for the project.

They say ‘teacher encounters’ will help them improve their understanding of the range of jobs and routes into the workplace of today. They also help them bring that insight into how they teach their subjects, linking classroom learning to workplace.

Proposed projects will range from face-to-face workplace visits and industry placements to subject specific learning across key economic sectors.

The Teacher Encounters programme builds on policy proposals for careers awareness training for all teachers in the Government’s Skills for Jobs (January 2021) and Schools (March 2022) White Papers. Proposals echoed by Lord Blunkett’s recent Learning and Skills Report (October 2022).

OxLEP and the CEC hope to create similar ‘encounters’ at high-performing businesses like Oxford Biomedica.

Oxford Biomedica won last year’s Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Award category for the Large Apprenticeship Employer Award and were a founding member of the Advanced Therapies Apprenticeship Community (ATAC), which aims to address the projected shortfall of skilled workers in the UK cell and gene therapy industry, by developing industry specific apprenticeship standards.

Sally Andreou, Skills Hub Manager at OxLEP, said: “We are delighted to support this initiative which aligns with a key OxLEP aim of continuing to better-connect the county’s schools with key businesses and sectors to inspire the next generation.

“The support of companies like Oxford Biomedica is critical to this, helping to equip our many teachers with the knowledge and understanding of what businesses are looking for in our young people.

“In-turn, this will ultimately inspire more teenagers to follow ambitious career paths, but also help to ensure that, as a county, we are both maintaining and attracting great talent to these magnificent businesses.”

Oli de Botton, Chief Executive of The Careers & Enterprise Company, said: “Teachers are powerful sources of careers inspiration for young people – through the conversations they have and the curriculum they teach.

“One of the ways we can support this work is through bridging the worlds of business and education and giving teachers meaningful encounters with employers.

“Done well, these encounters can inspire teachers, students and employers. Teachers can see first-hand how local businesses work, including the routes in like apprenticeships. Students can benefit when teachers bring this insight into their lessons, linking learning to workplace skills. And employers can learn more about the workforce of the future.

“This pilot is an opportunity to bring careers education further into the mainstream of school and college life and build on the enthusiasm we know is there from business to better support schools and from teachers to support their students to take their best next step.”

Robert Halfon MP, Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education, added: “Teachers are critical in transforming young people’s lives and by linking them to employers, we are developing the skills of teachers to deliver valuable career-related learning in lessons and to raise awareness of the different careers and pathways like apprenticeships.

“This collaboration will extend the ladder of opportunity to all students helping them progress to a great future career, while ensuring we can provide the next generation of skilled workers that businesses want and need.”

John Chapman, a biology teacher from Oxford Academy, said: “Talking about careers that are within their community is invaluable. It creates a community spirit between the teachers, the students and the parents.

“Students realise that there are employers on their doorsteps – it makes it real, and they can connect with what we’re trying to teach them in lessons.”

Colin Grugeon, Talent Acquisition Partner and Teacher Encounters Lead at Oxford Biomedica also added: “Teacher Encounters is the missing piece in our Early Careers programme. It brings us closer to local schools, helps us inform future talent and inspire what happens in the classroom by innovating new ways to connect with teachers.”

To mark the start of National Apprenticeship Week, (6 February) OxLEP Skills has launched a new campaign to help Oxfordshire business unlock the door to local opportunities and talent.

The ‘door to more’ campaign aims to raise awareness of the support and schemes available to business accessing and unlocking currently unused funds to make more apprenticeships possible. It encourages Oxfordshire-based organisations to open their doors to apprenticeships to create jobs and develop specialist industry skills and talent to help strengthen the local economy.

To support its Social Contract programme – a £1.7million programme of activity launched last year – OxLEP Skills is calling out to the over 220 Oxfordshire-based businesses currently paying an apprenticeship levy to either utilise it for their own training programmes or to supporting Oxfordshire SMEs through a levy transfer.

Since the launch of the programme in May 2022, over £270,000 has been pledged in levy transfers in Oxfordshire, with a target to unlock £1.3 million in unused levy, to make more apprenticeships possible.

Oxfordshire has traditionally had a tight labour market with low unemployment, making it a challenging landscape for businesses to find the right talent and skills as they grow.

By retaining levy payments locally, employers can support the pipeline of talent and skills growth in their sector while removing barriers to employment for individuals who may otherwise not have been able to consider certain roles.

Another initiative made available to the county’s business community through the campaign is the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Grant Scheme.

The scheme is enabling employers to apply for a grant of up to £1,500 (or up to £3,000 in exceptional circumstances) on behalf of their apprentice – who must be Oxfordshire-based – to support their training through non-statutory items.

Businesses applying for the grant have used them on a variety of items including travel permits, IT equipment, driving lessons and an apprentice’s industry rated tools.

Sally Andreou, Skills Hub Manager at OxLEP, said: “We want to make apprenticeships and other vocational pathways available to more people in Oxfordshire, and encourage business not currently making use of their apprenticeship levy to do so.

“Our region is the UK’s engine for innovation, research and development, driving exciting and dynamic projects from start-ups to international success stories, and it is critical we develop and nourish a pipeline of home-grown talent for the future.

“We know apprenticeships have a huge positive impact on the local and national economy and encourage all business, whether you are a levy payer or need funding, to explore the options available and get involved.”