Oxfordshire’s apprenticeship champions celebrate success at #OAAwards2021

Hundreds of people from across the county gathered around their laptops and tablets last night (6 May) to celebrate apprenticeship success at this year’s Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards.

The event – now in its fifth year and organised by the OxLEP Skills team – saw apprenticesbusinesses and education providers from right across the county come together to celebrate all things apprenticeships.

It saw winners announced from 11 categories and recognised young people and businesses – working across multiple sectors – all of whom demonstrated exceptional capability and dedication to the qualification.

This year’s event was headline sponsored by long-term awards supporter High Spec Composites – an Oxfordshire-based business supplying high-specification carbon fibre components to a range of industries worldwide.

WATCH AGAIN: The Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2021

Here’s a full list of this year’s winners and finalists:

School Award: Sponsored by Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

This Award recognised a number of Oxfordshire secondary schools for their commitment to the continuation of careers education and employer engagement including the promotion of apprenticeshipsduring the exceptional circumstances resulting from COVID-19.

• Carterton Community College
• Didcot Girls School
• Europa School UK
• Frank Wise School
• Icknield Community College
• Larkmead School
• Maiden Erlegh Chiltern Edge

School Engagement Employer of the Year Award: Sponsored by OxLEP Skills 

Winner:

• Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd

Finalists:

• Burford Recruitment Company
• Pearson

Higher Apprentice of the Year: Sponsored by Blenheim 

Winner:

• Nathan Jarvis Biotechnologist Apprentice – Oxford BioMedica

Finalists:

• Rosie Lay Associate Project Manager Apprentice – UKAEA
• Callam Woolgar Software Developer Apprentice – Adactus

Advanced Apprentice of the Year: Sponsored by Nielsen 

Winner:

• Emilia Reyes Pabon Apprentice Technician Scientist – University of Oxford

Finalists:

• Jane Szluha Reception & Admin Manager – Luther Street Medical Centre
• Heather Zeale Outdoor Education Apprentice – Oxfordshire County Council

Intermediate Apprentice of the Year: Sponsored by Abbott Diabetes Care 

Winner:

• Mia Bowles Beauty Therapist Apprentice – The Skincare Clinic

Finalists:

• George James Apprentice Sports Coach – Ignite Sport UK
• Ella Lee Apprentice Dance Teacher – The Julie Bruce Dance/Drama Academy

Special Recognition Award: Sponsored by Popham Hairdressing 

Winner:

• George James Apprentice Sports Coach – Ignite Sport UK

Finalists:

• Susan Halliwell Healthcare Support Worker – Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
• Ellie KnightApprentice Business Administrator – University of Oxford

Large Apprenticeship Employer Award (more than 250 employees): Sponsored by Clarkson Evans 

Winner:

• University of Oxford

Finalists:

• Oxford Biomedica
• UK Atomic Energy Authority

Small Apprenticeship Employer Award (less than 250 employees): Sponsored by The Burnside Partnership 

Winner:

• Electrogenic Ltd

Finalists:

• Adactus
• Ikkaido

Shining Star Award: Sponsored by Integration Technology 

Winner:

• Barry Preston Electrical Systems Engineer – UKAEA 

Finalists:

• Olivia Cooper Administrative Apprentice – Oxfordshire County Council
• Ryan Smith Application Support Analyst – Thames Valley Police

Apprenticeship Champion Award: Sponsored by Oxford Brookes University 

Winner:

• Becky Elsworth Apprenticeship Manager – Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust

Finalists:

• Steve Beaumont Training Director – Heritage Skills Academy
• Hannah Bladen General Manager – Ignite Sport UK

Oxfordshire Apprentice of the Year Award: Sponsored by headline sponsors High Spec Composites

Winners:

• Emilia Reyes Pabon Apprentice Technician Scientist – University of Oxford
• George JamesApprentice Sports Coach – Ignite Sport UK

 Find out more on Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2021