Apprentices, businesses, education providers and champions of apprenticeships – from right across the county – came together this evening (18 May) for the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2023, one of the leading annual business celebration events in the region.
The spectacular awards – now in its seventh year and organised by OxLEP Skills – saw over 170 people come together at Williams F1 Conference Centre in Grove to celebrate all things apprenticeships. Many more joined the event via a live-stream hosted on OxLEP’s website.
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 12 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.
The headline sponsor for this year’s awards was JDE Banbury – other awards sponsors and supporters included; Darke & Taylor, The Fiona Wheeler Charitable Foundation, High Spec Composites, Oxford University Development, Ridge and Partners LLP, South East Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, Williams Racing and Popham Hairdressing.
The awards were hosted by Simon Newton – Joint Managing Director of Darke & Taylor – and Sarah Jaycock, Executive Director of High Spec Composites.
Below is a full list of this year’s winners and highly-commended finalists:
Intermediate Apprentice of the Year:
Sponsored by Milestone Infrastructure
Winner:
- Joshua Read-Strahan – Apprentice Sports Coach, Ignite Sport UK
Highly-commended:
- Cameron Bastable – Healthcare Support Worker Apprentice, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Timmy Blake – Palace Maintenance Assistant, Blenheim Palace
Advanced Apprentice of the Year:
Sponsored by Abbott Diabetes Care
Winner:
- Cerys Massey – Clinical Services Administrator, Woodstock Surgery
Highly-commended:
- Emilia Callaghan – Events and Hospitality Apprentice, Blenheim Palace
- Kelly Huggard – HR Coordinator, Blenheim Palace
Higher / Degree Apprentice of the Year:
Sponsored by Oxford Professional Education
Winner:
- Chez Bousfield – CAHMS Service Improvement Coordinator, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
Highly-commended:
- Wendy Matshazi – Learning and Development Lead, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Elliot O’Brien – Architectural Apprentice, Jessop and Cook Architects
Special Recognition Award:
Sponsored by Hill
Winner:
- Tiffany Hickman – Finance Apprentice, Blenheim Palace
Highly-commended:
- Jamie Kavanagh – Insight Analyst, Oxfordshire County Council
- Katie Sweet – Apprentice Technician, JDE Banbury
Rising Star Award:
Sponsored by Blenheim and Pye Homes
Winner:
- Lucy Parsons – Apprentice Finance and Accounting Technician, University of Oxford
Highly-commended:
- Fi Thomas – Commercial Procurement Apprentice, Oxford City Council
- Jasmine Williams – Spa Apprentice, Minster Mill, Andrew Brownsword Hotel Group
Shining Star Award:
Sponsored by IST INTECH
Winner:
- Danielle Hoare – HR & Communications Officer, Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford
Highly-commended:
- Jessica Aguirre – Trainee Claims and Inquests Officer, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Nairne Barker – Business Development Executive, Abingdon & Witney College
Apprenticeship Ambassador Award:
Sponsored by Activate Apprenticeships
Winner:
- Grace Robinson – Apprentice Mechatronic Technician, JDE Banbury
Highly-commended:
- Grace Dawson – EPA Coordinator, Explosive Learning Solutions
- Jamie Kavanagh – Insight Analyst, Oxfordshire County Council
Apprenticeship Employer of the Year (Less Than 250 Employees):
Sponsored by Assure UK
Winner:
- Oxfordshire Youth
Highly-commended:
- FMB Oxford
- Williams Jet Tenders
Apprenticeship Employer of the Year (250 or More Employees):
Sponsored by Owen Mumford
Winner:
- Oxfordshire County Council
Highly-commended:
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Taylor & Francis
Inspiring the Future Employer of the Year:
Sponsored by Oxford North
Winner:
- Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
Highly-commended:
- Explosive Learning Solutions
- Hill Group
Careers Champion Award:
Sponsored by The Engineering Trust
Winner:
- Claire Christiansen – Careers Lead, Larkmead School
Highly-commended:
- Andrew Hemming – Assistant Head Teacher, Chilworth House Upper School
- Jackie Mustoe – Careers Lead and Exams Manager, Carterton Community College
Training Provider Individual Award:
Sponsored by Oxfordshire Advanced Skills
Winner:
- Sonia King – Pre-apprentice Training Co-ordinator, ACE Training
Highly-commended:
- Emma Corless – Learning and Development Manager, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Iwona Elliott – Learning and Development Lead, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
Overall Apprentice of the Year for 2023:
- Joshua Read-Strahan – Apprentice Sports Coach, Ignite Sport UK
Find out more on the awards via the below link, as well as details on OxLEP Skills’ Social Contract programme, which works with large businesses, subject to the apprenticeship levy – a 0.5% compulsory charge for companies who have an annual pay bill of more than £3 million – encouraging them to pledge their unused levy spend, which can subsequently be used to support small businesses in Oxfordshire to create their own apprenticeship openings.
