The Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Grant Scheme launch webinar

At this online launch event, we will explore how the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Grant scheme can be used in supporting an Oxfordshire resident to start an Apprenticeship, or support retention to enable an Apprentice to complete their Apprenticeship. The grants are available as part of the 'Social Contract', a new £1.7million programme of activity, led by OxLEP Skills, to support Oxfordshire residents and businesses impacted most by the pandemic.

The Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Grant team will be joined at the launch event by Eliza Higginbottom, the Creative Director at Priory Cast Products, a small foundry in Kingham. They won the ‘Apprenticeship Employer of the Year Award' for businesses with less than 250 employees at the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2022 in May.

Priory Cast Products has been owned and managed by Yunus Ascott and Eliza Higginbottom since 2018. Freemen of The Goldsmiths' Company, the pair bring their extensive background in jewellery, fine art and restoration to the business, whilst continuing to build on the foundry's reputation for quality detailed castings. Their team of 6 includes 2 Level 3 Foundry Technician Apprentices. They employed their first Apprentice in 2020.

There are at least 400 Apprenticeship vacancies in Oxfordshire, providing opportunities to develop skills and a future in a wide range of careers. However, many Oxfordshire businesses struggle to fill their Apprenticeship opportunities, so the main aim of the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Grant scheme is to help remove barriers for residents to take up an Apprenticeship.

The grant scheme will open for applications from eligible businesses from the 10th August 2022. Applications are encouraged before the phase 1 deadline of 30th September 2022. It is anticipated that the majority of the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Grants will be in the range of £1,000 to £1,500, however under certain circumstances grants of up to £3,000 are available. The grants will be awarded based on a first come first served basis.

So, if you are looking to recruit an Apprentice, then join this webinar to find out how you can get a grant to help that Oxfordshire Apprentice to start and thrive.