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.