Hundreds of people from across the county gathered around their laptops and tablets tonight (1 October) to celebrate apprenticeship success at this year’s Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards, which took place online as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event – now in its fourth year and organised by the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) – saw apprentices, businesses and education providers from right across the county come together to celebrate the value of apprenticeships.
It saw winners announced from 12 categories and recognised young people and businesses – working across multiple sectors – all of whom demonstrated exceptional capability and dedication to the qualification.
Teya Agnese – an Apprentice Clinical Trial Support Officer from the University of Oxford – claimed the overall ‘Oxfordshire Apprentice of the Year’ title.
The chief executive of OxLEP 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 Oxfordshire for such schemes.
Nigel Tipple – Chief Executive of OxLEP – said: “We are delighted to be able hold this year’s Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards, despite the impact of COVID-19 and would like to thank the event’s sponsors and supporters.
“Clearly, Coronavirus has created an unprecedented situation for our business community, but it’s still important that we encourage businesses to consider creating apprenticeship schemes and inform them of the support that is available. Discovering young talent through apprenticeship schemes can really help organisations to ‘stay ahead’ of competitors and – in-turn – support young people to gain great qualifications too.
“Back in July, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that companies would be encouraged to create apprenticeship schemes, being awarded £2,000 per placement, with companies also able to receive £1,500 per apprentice for those over the age of 25.
“We hope the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards can help to show businesses the value of apprenticeships and that it has never been a better time to engage given the support that is available to them.”
Winners and finalists on the night were as follows:
School Award
Sponsored by Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Winner:
- Carterton Community College
Highly commended:
- Icknield Community College
- King Alfred’s Academy
Work Experience Award
Sponsored by OxLEP Skills
Winner:
- The Barr Group
Highly commended:
- Jewson
- Olamalu
Higher Apprentice of the Year Award
Sponsored by Blenheim
Winner:
- Aden Rawlings, Chartered Manager Degree Apprentice – Nielsen
Highly commended:
- Mandy Hallifax, Specialist Nurse Sonographer / ANP Trainee – Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Amy Stirton, Nursing Associate Trainee – Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Advanced Apprentice of the Year Award
Sponsored by Nielsen
Winner:
- Sophie Pomroy, Business Administration Apprentice – Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Highly commended:
- Melissa Chigubu, eDrive Apprentice – GKN Automotive
- Kerrie-Jo O'Flynn, Manufacturing, Assembly, Integration, Testing, (M.A.I.T) Technician Apprentice – Oxford Space Systems
Intermediate Apprentice of the Year Award
Sponsored by Abbott Diabetes Care
Winner:
- Teya Agnese, Apprentice Clinical Trial Support Officer – University of Oxford
Highly commended:
- Simon Cooper, Project Administration Apprentice – Activate Learning
- Deanne Hope-Fowler, Meetings and Events Sales Office Manager – Jurys Inn Oxford
Special Recognition Award
Sponsored by Popham Hairdressing
Winner:
- Autumn Walsh, Project Support Officer – Oxfordshire County Council
Highly commended:
- Kameca Gayle, Business Administration Apprentice – Oxfordshire County Council
- William Meredith, Apprentice Carpenter – Taylor Wimpey Oxfordshire
Apprenticeship Employer of the Year (50+ Employees) Award
Sponsored by Clarkson Evans
Winner:
- Thames Valley Police
Highly commended:
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Apprenticeship Employer of the Year (<50 Employees) Award
Sponsored by The Burnside Partnership
Winner:
- Ignite Sport UK
Highly commended:
- Computer Assistance
- Olamalu
Apprenticeship Employer of the Year (<10 Employees) Award
Sponsored by University Print Studio
Winner:
- The Skincare Clinic
Finalists:
- Chris Evans Witney
- The Money Consultancy Limited
Shining Star Award
Sponsored by Integration Technology Ltd
Winner:
- Luke Mattam – Oxfordshire County Council
Highly commended:
- Jack Dobson – Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Katie Lay – South Oxfordshire District Council
Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Ambassador of the Year Award
Sponsored by Oxford Brookes University
Joint winners:
- Ed Pereira, Chartered Management Degree Apprentice – Nielsen
- Sophie Pomroy, Business Administration Apprentice – Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Oxfordshire Apprentice of the Year Award
Sponsored by High Spec Composites
Winner:
- Teya Agnese, Apprentice Clinical Trial Support Officer – University of Oxford
