Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards

Each year, we celebrate apprentices, employers, training providers and skills champions through the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards.  

Winners will be announced at a special celebration evening on 22 May held in the iconic Long Library at Blenheim Palace.

Our headline sponsor – The Hill Group – will be selecting the overall Oxfordshire Apprentice of the Year from the winners of the five apprentice awards.

Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2025

The 2025 award categories and finalists are listed below.

Intermediate Apprentice of the Year

Sponsored by Abbott Diabetes Care

To recognise level 2 apprentices who have been in post for at least 9 months and have excelled in their work, learning and development and made exceptional contributions to their workplaces.  

Finalists:

Abigail Harker, Apprentice Recruitment Administration Assistant – employer: University of Oxford; training provider: GLP Training

Thomas Nilen, Apprentice Bricklayer – employer: Hummels Brickwork; training provider: Activate Learning

Jack Robins, Transactional Accounts Assistant – employer: Jonas Software UK & Europe; training provider: Abingdon & Witney College

Advanced Apprentice of the Year

Sponsored by NielsenIQ

To recognise level 3 apprentices who have been in post for at least 9 months and have excelled in their work, learning and development and made exceptional contributions to their workplaces. 

Finalists:

Gabriella Balfour-Allen, Engineering Apprentice – employer: Abbott Diabetes Care; training provider: Oxfordshire Advanced Skills

Imani D’Amore, Apprentice Youth Support Worker – employer: Oxfordshire County Council; training provider: UCAN

Nicholas Fountain, Apprentice Plumber – employer: GasWise Plumbing & Heating Services (UK) Ltd; training provider: Oxford Energy Academy

Higher / Degree Apprentice of the Year

Sponsored by Siemens Healthineers Magnet Technology

To recognise level 4 and above apprentices who have been in post for at least 9 months and have excelled in their work, learning and development and made exceptional contributions to their workplaces. 

Finalists: 

Megan Johnston, Finance Assistant – employer: Blenheim Palace; training provider: Reed Business School

Faith King, Teacher in Apprenticeships – employer: Activate Learning; training provider: Activate Learning

Jessie Weavers-Medina, Centre Administrator – employer: University of Oxford; training provider: Abingdon & Witney College

Special Recognition Award

Sponsored by M Group

To recognise apprentices at any level who have been in post for at least 9 months and have achieved in overcoming significant challenges or barriers to learning or work.

Finalists:

Yasmin Betteridge, Youth Work Apprentice – employer: TRAIN – Inspiring Young People; training provider: B Skill

Scarlet Boyd, Senior Stylist and Colourist – employer: Popham Hairdressing; training provider: Introtrain & Forum Limited

Imani D’Amore, Apprentice Youth Support Worker – employer: Oxfordshire County Council; training provider: UCAN

Rising Star Award

Sponsored by Popham Hairdressing

To 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.

Finalists:

Adam Hitchman, Business Administration Apprentice (HR) – employer: Signifo Limited t/as Webexpenses; training provider: Abingdon & Witney College

Alice Howes, HR Apprentice Assistant – employer: University of Oxford; training provider: Abingdon & Witney College

Roman Kane, Maintenance Technician Electrical – employer: Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford; training provider: Abingdon & Witney College

Shining Star Award

Sponsored by IST INTECH

To recognise individuals who have made outstanding progress in their career since completing their first apprenticeship and have the potential to achieve even more.

Finalists: 

Scarlet Boyd, Senior Stylist and Colourist – employer: Popham Hairdressing; training provider: Introtrain & Forum Limited

Tiffany Hickman, People Apprentice (Learning & Development) – employer: Blenheim Palace; training provider: Inspiro Learning

Rossi Salvatore, Product Manager – Retail – employer: Karcher UK Ltd; training provider: Warwickshire College Group

Apprenticeship Ambassador Award

Sponsored by Grundon

To recognise individuals who go the extra mile to champion and promote apprenticeships in Oxfordshire.

Finalists: 

Katy Claridge, Architectural Apprentice and Content Creator – employer: Associated Architects; training provider: University of Nottingham

Tiffany Hickman, People Apprentice (Learning & Development) – employer: Blenheim Palace; training provider: Inspiro Learning

Emilia Reyes Pabon, Apprentice Technician Scientist – employer: University of Oxford; training provider: University of Kent

Skills Champion Award

Sponsored by The Engineering Trust

To recognise individuals who make a significant contribution to promoting apprenticeships and other vocational training routes, such as school/college careers professionals or teachers, business volunteers, work coaches and Enterprise Advisers.

Finalists: 

Jo Bennett, Assistant Manager, Fairfield Residential Home

Helen Cannon, Co-Founder / Director, Intake Talent

Caroline Walton, Director – ELS Awarding Organisation, Explosive Learning Solutions (ELS) Ltd

Inspiring the Future Employer of the Year 

Sponsored by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust

To recognise employers in Oxfordshire who have gone the extra mile to inform and inspire the next generation, including engaging with local schools and colleges.

Finalists: 

ACE Training

Intake Talent

Morgan Sindall Construction

Training Provider Individual Award

Sponsored by Oxford Brookes University

To recognise individuals working for organisations that provide apprenticeship training in Oxfordshire (colleges, universities, employer providers and independent training providers) who go the extra mile to support and encourage apprentices and enable individuals to achieve to their potential.

Finalists: 

James Barrett, Electrical Tutor, JTL Training

Jess Greenfield, Apprentice Mentor, South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Rebecca Manger, Assessor, Introtrain & Forum Ltd

Apprenticeship Employer of the Year (Less Than 250 Employees)

Sponsored by Olamalu

To recognise small and medium sized apprenticeship employers in Oxfordshire that have exceeded normal standards and expectations in providing a high-quality apprenticeship experience.

Finalists: 

Explosive Learning Solutions (ELS) Ltd

Fairfield Residential Home

Popham Hairdressing

Apprenticeship Employer of the Year (250 or More Employees)

Sponsored by Assure UK

To recognise large apprenticeship employers in Oxfordshire that have exceeded normal standards and expectations in providing a high-quality apprenticeship experience.

Finalists: 

Grundon Waste Management

Oxfordshire County Council

University of Oxford

Oxfordshire Apprentice of the Year

Chosen by headline sponsor The Hill Group

To recognise the apprentice who has reached the highest levels of excellence and achievement. Chosen by the headline sponsor from the winners of the five apprentice award categories.

With thanks to our other 2025 awards sponsors and supporters

If you are interested in sponsoring the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards, please see our sponsorship pack for details.

Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2025 Guidance

Why you should enter the awards

Sarah Jaycock, Co-Founder and Executive Director of High Spec Composites, Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards host, committee member and sponsor and apprenticeship award winner, shares the benefits of entering and her top tips for writing a winning entry.

 Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2024

Watch the highlights from the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2024, which took place on 16 May at the spectacular Williams Racing Experience Centre with our headline sponsor Oxford North. Read our article for a list of winners.