The seventh 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 18 May 2023 at Williams F1 Conference Centre.
We're delighted to introduce Oxford North, the new global life sciences district for Oxford, as sponsor of the Inspiring the Future Employer Award.
Here, Victoria Collett (pictured), Development Director at Thomas White Oxford, the development company responsible for delivering Oxford North, 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?
This is Oxford North’s second year supporting the awards and we’re excited to be back and a part of this OxLEP-run brilliant initiative supporting companies and apprentices across the county.
We’re supporting the awards because we have a passionate belief in the value that apprenticeships can create in increasing social mobility and supporting businesses to grow.
In the last 12+ months, we have been busy with the enabling infrastructure works before the first new homes, labs, offices, parks and amenities start being built for Oxford’s new innovation district which will be a unique home and workplace for scientists, technologists and inventors.
We’re proud that in that time the project has created more than 250 new jobs and four new apprenticeships, some of whom are the first generation in construction.
As our project continues, these opportunities will increase, not only in construction but through the companies who come to work here.
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 winner of your category?
They will need to demonstrate how they inspire the next generation through engagement with schools and colleges and other initiatives.
It would be great to see a clear picture of what that company has done to engage with education, how the company has gone the extra mile with any innovative or stand-out ideas, and any celebration of their involvement and success.
Comments from not only the company but also the schools, colleges and apprentices who have benefited from their engagement would be useful.
We would like the winner to be a positive role model that will inspire other companies to take a similar approach.
What would you say to anyone thinking about entering or nominating?
Definitely enter as it’s a chance to showcase the work you have done and the impact you have had to support and celebrate the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards experience.
Tell us about your organisation’s experience of Apprenticeships
We are fortunate to have our partnerships with Cadillac Fairview, Stanhope and Hill Group and to work with a team of master-planners and architects, landscape designers and consultants, many of whom support the Apprenticeship programme within their own organisations.
In collaboration with Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County Council and OxLEP, we have a Training, Employment and Business strategy in place for Oxford North.
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 apprenticeship opportunities for school leavers and graduate positions within the immediate phase of construction ie excavation and substructure works, fit out works, landscaping, green skills and much more.
As the project continues and 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.
About the Awards
The awards will be open for entries and nominations until midnight on the evening of Friday 17 February 2023. Finalists will be announced during Oxfordshire Apprenticeships Hour (hashtag #OAHour) on Twitter @OxonApprentice from 13:00 on Thursday 20 April 2023. Winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony on Thursday 18 May 2023.
Visit our Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2023 page
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 every Thursday for latest on the Awards and join in the conversation using the hashtag #OAAwards2023.
