Hundreds of people from across the county gathered around their laptops and tablets last night (6 May) to celebrate apprenticeship success at this year’s Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards.
The event – now in its fifth year and organised by the OxLEP Skills team – saw apprentices, businesses and education providers from right across the county come together to celebrate all things apprenticeships.
It saw winners announced from 11 categories and recognised young people and businesses – working across multiple sectors – all of whom demonstrated exceptional capability and dedication to the qualification.
This year’s event was headline sponsored by long-term awards supporter High Spec Composites – an Oxfordshire-based business supplying high-specification carbon fibre components to a range of industries worldwide.
WATCH AGAIN: The Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2021
Here’s a full list of this year’s winners and finalists:
School Award: Sponsored by Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
This Award recognised a number of Oxfordshire secondary schools for their commitment to the continuation of careers education and employer engagement, including the promotion of apprenticeships, during the exceptional circumstances resulting from COVID-19.
- Carterton Community College
- Didcot Girls School
- Europa School UK
- Frank Wise School
- Icknield Community College
- Larkmead School
- Maiden Erlegh Chiltern Edge
School Engagement Employer of the Year Award: Sponsored by OxLEP Skills
Winner:
- Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd
Finalists:
- Burford Recruitment Company
- Pearson
Higher Apprentice of the Year: Sponsored by Blenheim
Winner:
- Nathan Jarvis, Biotechnologist Apprentice – Oxford BioMedica
Finalists:
- Rosie Lay, Associate Project Manager Apprentice – UKAEA
- Callam Woolgar, Software Developer Apprentice – Adactus
Advanced Apprentice of the Year: Sponsored by Nielsen
Winner:
- Emilia Reyes Pabon, Apprentice Technician Scientist – University of Oxford
Finalists:
- Jane Szluha, Reception & Admin Manager – Luther Street Medical Centre
- Heather Zeale, Outdoor Education Apprentice – Oxfordshire County Council
Intermediate Apprentice of the Year: Sponsored by Abbott Diabetes Care
Winner:
- Mia Bowles, Beauty Therapist Apprentice – The Skincare Clinic
Finalists:
- George James, Apprentice Sports Coach – Ignite Sport UK
- Ella Lee, Apprentice Dance Teacher – The Julie Bruce Dance/Drama Academy
Special Recognition Award: Sponsored by Popham Hairdressing
Winner:
- George James, Apprentice Sports Coach – Ignite Sport UK
Finalists:
- Susan Halliwell, Healthcare Support Worker – Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Ellie Knight, Apprentice Business Administrator – University of Oxford
Large Apprenticeship Employer Award (more than 250 employees): Sponsored by Clarkson Evans
Winner:
- University of Oxford
Finalists:
- Oxford Biomedica
- UK Atomic Energy Authority
Small Apprenticeship Employer Award (less than 250 employees): Sponsored by The Burnside Partnership
Winner:
- Electrogenic Ltd
Finalists:
- Adactus
- Ikkaido
Shining Star Award: Sponsored by Integration Technology
Winner:
- Barry Preston, Electrical Systems Engineer – UKAEA
Finalists:
- Olivia Cooper, Administrative Apprentice – Oxfordshire County Council
- Ryan Smith, Application Support Analyst – Thames Valley Police
Apprenticeship Champion Award: Sponsored by Oxford Brookes University
Winner:
- Becky Elsworth, Apprenticeship Manager – Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
Finalists:
- Steve Beaumont, Training Director – Heritage Skills Academy
- Hannah Bladen, General Manager – Ignite Sport UK
Oxfordshire Apprentice of the Year Award: Sponsored by headline sponsors High Spec Composites
Winners:
- Emilia Reyes Pabon, Apprentice Technician Scientist – University of Oxford
- George James, Apprentice Sports Coach – Ignite Sport UK
