Dozens of people from across the county are getting ready to celebrate success at this year’s Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards, which takes place next week (6 May).
The event – which will be a virtual awards and broadcast live on the website of organisers’ the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) – will see apprentices, businesses and education providers from a variety of sectors come together to celebrate apprenticeships.
The 2021 edition of the awards will be the fifth time the event has been held, with previous celebrations taking place at locations such as Blenheim Palace and Jurys Inn Oxford.
Last year’s event was held online following the Coronavirus outbreak. To ensure that the county is able to celebrate apprenticeship excellence in 2021, OxLEP – supported by the awards’ committee, made-up of several members of the Oxfordshire business community – decided to hold this year’s event online too.
Ahead of the awards, the chief executive of OxLEP has reflected upon the importance of celebrating apprenticeships success – despite the severe challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic – not only highlighting to young people what an apprenticeship could bring to them, but also, why it’s vitally-important to continue to garner business support across the county for such schemes.
Nigel Tipple – Chief Executive of OxLEP – said: “We are delighted to be able to host these prestigious awards once again, celebrating the brilliant achievements of apprentices from across Oxfordshire and those businesses and training providers leading the way in creating career-defining experiences.
“Of course, COVID-19 has created an unprecedented situation for our business community over the past year – however, it is vital that we continue to encourage them to consider creating apprenticeship schemes and inform businesses of the support that is available.
“Discovering young talent through apprenticeship schemes can really help businesses to ‘stay ahead’ of competitors and – in-turn – support young people to gain great qualifications too.
“We hope the awards can help to inspire and show businesses the value of apprenticeships and that there has never been a better time to consider a scheme, given the support that is available.”
Currently, businesses can claim £3,000 from the government for an apprentice who starts their qualification between 1 April this year and 30 September.
Businesses can make claims on apprenticeship placements from 1 June.
This year’s event is 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. They specialise in components for formula one.
A full list of award finalists are as follows:
School Award:
Sponsored by Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
This award will recognise 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
- Burford Recruitment Company
- Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd
- Pearson
Higher Apprentice of the Year:
Sponsored by Blenheim
- Nathan Jarvis, Biotechnologist Apprentice – Oxford BioMedica
- Rosie Lay, Associate Project Manager Apprentice – UKAEA
- Callam Woolgar, Software Developer Apprentice – Adactus
Advanced Apprentice of the Year:
Sponsored by Nielsen
- Emilia Reyes Pabon, Apprentice Technician Scientist – University of Oxford
- Jane Szluha, Reception and Admin Manager – Luther Street Medical Centre
- Heather Zeale, Outdoor Education Apprentice – Oxfordshire County Council
Intermediate Apprentice of the Year:
Sponsored by Abbott Diabetes Care
- Mia Bowles, Beauty Therapist Apprentice – The Skincare Clinic
- 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
- Susan Halliwell, Healthcare Support Worker – Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
- George James, Apprentice Sports Coach – Ignite Sport UK
- Ellie Knight, Apprentice Business Administrator – University of Oxford
Large Apprenticeship Employer Award (more than 250 employees):
Sponsored by Clarkson Evans
- Oxford Biomedica
- UK Atomic Energy Authority
- University of Oxford
Small Apprenticeship Employer Award (less than 250 employees):
Sponsored by The Burnside Partnership
- Adactus
- Electrogenic Ltd
- Ikkaido
Shining Star Award:
Sponsored by Integration Technology
- Olivia Cooper, Administrative Apprentice – Oxfordshire County Council
- Barry Preston, Electrical Systems Engineer – UKAEA
- Ryan Smith, Application Support Analyst – Thames Valley Police
Apprenticeship Champion Award:
Sponsored by Oxford Brookes University
- Steve Beaumont, Training Director – Heritage Skills Academy
- Hannah Bladen, General Manager – Ignite Sport UK
- Becky Elsworth, Apprenticeship Manager – Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
Oxfordshire Apprentice of the Year Award:
Sponsored by headline sponsors High Spec Composites
This awards is to be chosen by the headline sponsor High Spec Composites from the winners of the other award categories.
The Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards takes place on Thursday 6 May, starting at 7pm. You can follow the awards on social media via: #OAAwards2021.
