University of Oxford Apprentices: #2020ApprenticeshipAwards

Apprentice Training Provider Individual Award 2020 - Gemma Burgess

#2020ApprenticeshipAwards

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Apprentice Poster Award 2020 - Taimur Hashmi

#2020ApprenticeshipAwards

And the winner of the Apprentice Poster Award goes to... Taimur Hashmi

We asked Taimur a few questions about his Apprenticeship and winning this award...

1) What is your Apprenticeship?

I am currently completing a Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship with the University of Oxford Temporary Staffing Service (TSS). I started my apprenticeship as an Apprentice Recruitment Administrator in October 2018 where the main part of my role was arranging registration interviews with candidates who are interested in becoming a part of the TSS candidate pool and answering any queries about the service. Alongside this, I was also in charge of updating our assignment advert cards in the office window, advertising our vacancies online, requesting candidate references, updating candidate details on our internal database and completing any other administrative tasks that may be required.

As I progressed in my role, I began to pick up other additional duties and eventually, in September 2019 I was appointed as an Internal Recruitment Consultant in the department. The focus of my role now is conducting registration interviews with applicants, acting as the first point of contact with Recruiting Managers to understand and record details of their temporary vacancies and then identifying where candidates’ skills and experience match temporary assignments in University Departments.

2) Can you describe some benefits of undertaking an Apprenticeship?

One of the most notable benefits of undertaking an apprenticeship from my perspective has been the knowledge and experience I have gained working in recruitment. As I have furthered my knowledge and experience, I have also increased in confidence which seems to be a theme with a lot of other apprentices I have spoken to. I would highly recommend apprenticeships to anyone considering them, especially at the University where the levels of support provided by the departments and the Apprenticeships team have been excellent.

3) What was your reaction to winning your award?

I was genuinely surprised. All of the poster submissions this year were very good and on a different day, under a different audience I think any of the other posters could have won. Of course I am also absolutely delighted to have won and very grateful to everyone who voted for my poster!

4) What would you recommend to anyone else considering an Apprenticeship/taking on an apprentice?

To anyone considering an apprenticeship, do it. From business administration to lab technician, there are many different types to choose from. You will gain valuable skills and experience in the workplace and it is the perfect stepping stone for your career (not to mention the apprentice wage at the university is significantly higher than the average!!).

To any line managers considering taking on an apprentice, the benefits speak for themselves. Do it.

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Apprentice Ambassador of the Year 2020 - Bushra Nawaz

#2020ApprenticeshipAwards

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Technician Apprentice of the year Award 2020 - Natalie Davis

#2020ApprenticeshipAwards

The winner of our Technician Apprentice of the year award went to... Natalie Davis!!

We asked Natalie a few questions about her Apprenticeship and winning this award...

1) What is your Apprenticeship?

My apprenticeship is a Level 3 Laboratory Technician at Sir William Dunn School of Pathology. My role is varied but my day to day role includes making agar plates, making media, washing glassware, dealing with hazardous waste and carrying out mycoplasma testing. I have also been involved with helping prepare for the University's practical classes that are run for the biomedical undergraduate students. Other parts of my job include covering the reception desk and helping in stores with delivering goods to different research groups around the department.

2) Can you describe some benefits of undertaking Apprenticeship based training?

One of the main benefits of doing an apprenticeship is the on the job training and being able to go from having no experience to having a vast range of skills and knowledge in the field! In my experience I have also been lucky enough to spend time in different research areas of the department. This has included spending time in a laboratory with a researcher who guided me through my own mini project involving flies! I have also spent time using a scanning electron microscope to produce my own images in the electron microscopy facility. All of which has been really fun to be able to do.

3) What was your reaction to winning your award?

When my name was read out I was initially very shocked as I really didn't expect that I would win against the other two finalists. I am very very pleased to have won though and to have all my hard work recognised is an amazing feeling. Definitely the biggest achievement of my apprenticeship so far and am very grateful to have been nominated by my manager.

4) What would you recommend to anyone else considering an Apprenticeship/taking on an apprentice?

I would tell anyone who is considering an apprenticeship to just go for it as it allows you to develop many new skills and expand your knowledge in the field you are interested in, whilst working and earning money. All the skills learnt will also be highly valued by any future employer after your apprenticeship. Being an apprentice also allows you to take on other opportunities such as being an ambassador, which is something am very glad I took the opportunity to be apart of. For an employer I would encourage them to take on an apprentice as they will be willing to learn new skills in the job role and will also be hard working.