Above: Behind the scenes at this year's Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards
It’s believed hundreds of people from right across Oxfordshire and beyond gathered around their laptops and tablets this evening (19 May) as several young people, business leaders and education providers celebrated their respective success at this year’s Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards.
The event – now in its sixth year and organised by OxLEP – saw apprentices, companies overseeing apprenticeship programmes and those working in education supporting the role of apprenticeships come together for the major awards.
It was broadcast live on OxLEP’s website and hosted by Simon Newton, joint managing director of Darke and Taylor and Teya Agnese – herself, a previous apprentice of year recipient.
Led by OxLEP Skills and supported by a business-led committee, the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards aims to champion work-based learning excellence across a breadth of sectors.
This year, the event saw winners announced from 11 categories, all of which it’s hoped will act as a major inspiration to businesses, encouraging them to explore what an apprentice could bring to their respective companies.
Nigel Tipple – chief executive of OxLEP – said: “We were delighted to see so many people from across the county recognised for their commitment – in many different ways – to apprenticeships. It truly was a wonderful celebration and an event that we hope helps to inspire businesses and aspiring apprentices alike in equal measure.”
“Apprenticeships have been integral to the UK’s skills system for many years, offering young people – and indeed, those seeking a change in career direction – an established pathway to a range of compelling vocational careers and ensuring businesses play an active role in training and nurturing this future talent.
“Within Oxfordshire, apprentices are a vital contributor to our capabilities and productivity within key sectors, including health, manufacturing, and the visitor economy to name but a few sectors.
“As the impact of Covid-19 continues to be felt by the business community, it’s more important than ever that we highlight the positive impact of these schemes and the support available to businesses – the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards has been able to do just that.”
Below is a full list of this year’s winners and finalists, many of whom will further celebrate their success at a special Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2022 reception, set to be hosted by OxLEP on 26 May at WilliamsF1.
Careers Champion Award
Sponsored by The Engineering Trust
Finalists:
- Helen Haines – Burford School
- Debbie Nicholas – Iffley Academy
- Michael Rafferty – The Warriner School
Winner: Michael Rafferty
School/College Engagement Award
Sponsored by Harwell Science and Innovation Campus
Finalists:
- Explosive Learning Solutions
- Ignite Sport UK
- The Burford Recruitment Company
Winner: Ignite Sport UK
Training Provider Individual Award
Sponsored by Owen Mumford
Finalists:
- Rob Alderman, Training Officer – The Engineering Trust
- Kyle Bestley, Tutor – Ignite Training
- Stephen Whiting, Technical Training Assessor – Birmingham Metropolitan College/MINI Plant Oxford
Winner: Stephen Whiting
Intermediate Apprentice of the Year Award
Sponsored by Abbott Diabetes Care
Finalists:
- Milly Foxcroft, Apprentice Gardener – Blenheim Palace
- Kelly Huggard, HR Apprentice – Blenheim Palace
- Wiktoria Pilat, Hairdressing Apprentice – Flawless Finish Hair
Winner: Kelly Huggard
Advanced Apprentice of the Year Award
Sponsored by NielsenIQ
Finalists:
- Jordan Davies, Engineering Apprentice – Abbott Diabetes Care
- Lauren Hansen, Maintenance Planner – Jacobs Douwe Egberts
- David Tomlinson, Digital Content Leader – Oxford University Press
Winner: Jordan Davies
Higher Apprentice of the Year Award
Sponsored by Oxfordshire Advanced Skills
Finalists:
- Jade Brooker, Assistant Manager – Assure UK
- Anna Middlemiss, Trainee Civil Engineer – Milestone Infrastructure
- Nicole Nielsen-Pike, Guest Services Supervisor – Blenheim Palace
Winner: Nicole Nielsen-Pike
Special Recognition Award
Sponsored by Blenheim and Pye Homes
Finalists:
- Emily Brandish, Trainee Nursing Associate – Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Souad Elaroussi, Trainee Nursing Associate – Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Daniel Freer, Store Manager – Toolstation
Winner: Emily Brandish
Apprenticeship Employer of the Year (less than 250 employees) Award
Sponsored by Assure UK
Finalists:
- Ignite Sport UK
- Priory Cast Products
- The Oxford Electrical Company
Winner: Priory Cast Products
Apprenticeship Employer of the Year (more than 250 employees) Award
Sponsored by Oxford North
Finalists:
- Blenheim
- Jacobs Douwe Egberts
- Oxford Biomedica
Winner: Oxford Biomedica
Shining Star Award
Sponsored by Integration Technology Ltd
Finalists:
- Nicole Nielsen-Pike, Guest Services Supervisor – Blenheim Palace
- Ryan Taylor, Shift Maintenance Technician – Jacobs Douwe Egberts
- Rachel Townsend, Waste Strategy Project Officer – Oxfordshire County Council
Winner: Ryan Taylor
Oxfordshire Apprentice of the Year Award
Sponsored by The Fiona Wheeler Charitable Foundation
Winners: Jordan Davies, Engineering Apprentice – Abbott Diabetes Care and Nicole Nielsen-Pike, Guest Services Supervisor – Blenheim Palace
This year’s Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards was headline sponsored by The Fiona Wheeler Charitable Foundation, which was established in memory of Fiona Wheeler, co-founder of the West Oxfordshire-based boutique client law firm, The Burnside Partnership.
Fiona – who believed passionately in supporting young people in their careers and was instrumental in establishing The Burnside Partnership's apprenticeship programme – sadly died in December 2019, aged 35 after a long and courageous battle with illness.
