Apprenticeships & Vocational Pathways
Unlock the door to discover talent with OxLEP's support of apprenticeships in Oxfordshire.
As a supporter of the government's agenda to increase vocational pathways, we aim to boost the number of apprenticeships within SMEs in Oxfordshire.
Get in touch with OxLEP and experience the benefits of providing a genuine job with training and assessment, giving new talent an opportunity to 'earn while you learn.'
With 93% of apprentices in Oxfordshire transitioning to sustained employment and 100% of higher-level apprenticeships leading to sustained employment, take advantage of the opportunity to upskill existing staff or bring new talent on board.
Start your journey with OxLEP today! Take a look at the support we offer to Oxfordshire businesses below.
Social Contract Programme
Our Social Contract Programme is an ambitious £1.7m programme of activity that provides support for employers, from small businesses looking to employ their first apprentice to large employers looking to better utilise their apprenticeship levy.
By retaining levy payments locally, it will support vital skills growth across Oxfordshire and help employers develop talent pipelines and retain key skills within the county.
Find out more on our Social Contract Programme
Find out more via the National Apprenticeships website
Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Grant Scheme
The Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Grant scheme is available as part of the Social Contract Programme and aims to help remove barriers for residents looking to start or struggling to complete an apprenticeship.
Employers apply for the grant on behalf of their apprentice or apprentices. We have grants available up to £1,500 (or £3,000 in exceptional circumstances) and can be used for non-statutory items such as travel permits, laptops to aid studies, Ofsted registered childcare, provisional driving licences and counselling/mentoring for mental wellbeing.
Watch the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Grant Scheme launch webinar:
Find out more on the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Grant Scheme
Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards
The annual Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards celebrates the achievements of Apprentices and those who support them along their journey, including school/college careers staff, employers and training provider individuals. OxLEP Skills manages the awards on a not-for-profit basis and categories are sponsored, judged and awarded by businesses and organisations.
Watch highlights of the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2022:
Find out more on the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards
Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Ambassadors
Our Apprenticeship Ambassadors are current apprentices who support our work to raise awareness of the benefits of apprenticeships by sharing their experiences. We have Apprenticeship Ambassadors from a range of employers, including Abbott, Assure UK, Blenheim, DAF Trucks, GKN Automotive, Ignite Sport, Milestone Infrastructure, Oxford Instruments, OxLEP and the University of Oxford.
What it's like to be an Apprentice by Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Ambassadors:
Find out more on our Apprenticeship Ambassadors
T Levels
Launched in September 2021 in Oxfordshire, T Levels, or Technical Levels, are after GCSEs and are the equivalent to 3 A Levels. The 2-year courses have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so that the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for work.
T Levels offer students a mixture of classroom learning and ‘on-the-job’ experience, with the aim of equipping them with the knowledge and experience needed to progress into skilled employment, further study or a higher Apprenticeship.
Every T Level includes a relevant industry placement with an employer, focused on developing the practical and technical skills required for the occupation. These make up 20% of the course and last a minimum of 315 hours (approximately 45 days). An industry placement can be a block, day release or a mix of these and may be shared across employers.
This short film about Webexpenses illustrates the benefits of industry placements:
Traineeships
A traineeship is a skills development programme that includes a work placement. It can last from six weeks up to one year, though most traineeships last for less than six months. A traineeship is a course with work experience that gets a young person ready for work or an Apprenticeship.
People can apply for a traineeship if they are:
- Unemployed and have little or no work experience
- Aged 16 to 24 and qualified below Level 3
- Eligible to work in England
