This week sees National Apprenticeship Week across the UK, a chance to celebrate some of the wonderful and diverse apprenticeship opportunities available. Here in Oxfordshire, the county maintains a unique offer in terms of apprenticeships, with sector strengths in areas such as the creative industries, along with the four 'transformative technologies' in which the county has 'world-class' potential.
Far more than traditional stereotypes and just a chance to 'earn-while-you-learn', apprenticeships offer a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of work, gaining a recognised qualification, valuable contacts and unrivalled work experience. This year's National Apprenticeship Week has a 'Look Beyond' theme, with a focus on dispelling apprenticeship myths and misconceptions.
By offering an individual an apprenticeship, this benefits not only the apprentice themself, but also allows businesses the opportunity to tailor the skills of their workforce to their specific requirements, investing in the future productivity of the organisation. Additionally, by engaging an apprentice in your workforce, such individuals may bring new skills or a fresh perspective to your business.
Offering an individual an apprenticeship is a great investment, but committing the time and resource into providing the opportunities and on-the-job learning that make such schemes truly meaningful, is what makes employing an apprentice so valuable. By employing the right individual and making such investment into your workforce, this may offer the opportunity for your employees and your business to gain the recognition you truly deserve.
The OxLEP Skills for Business team is here to support businesses with all of their skills requirements, such as taking on an apprentice and understanding the process to do so.
