University of Oxford Apprentices

3rd Year Apprentice Awards 2020 - Alex Knight

#2020ApprenticeshipAwards

And the winner of the 3rd year Apprentice Award goes to... Alex Knight!

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

1) What is your Apprenticeship?

I am a technician apprentice in my final year at the Oxford Physics Microstructure Detector (OPMD) Facility in the Particle Physics department in Oxford. At OPMD we build and test radiation detectors used in physics experiments such as the ATLAS experiment at the LHC in CERN.

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

This apprenticeship has allowed me to work with some extraordinary people, some of whom are truly the best in the world at what they do. For this, I am very grateful as I have learned a lot from them and made some good friends. There are many things I enjoy about this apprenticeship, from the working atmosphere created by staff and students, to the fantastic facilities we get to use. Despite being at the beginning of my career, working with people who are much further along in different career paths, I am still equally recognised and relied upon for the unique skills set I bring to the group. Having been working here for over 3 years now, I have really enjoyed watching how projects I have been heavily involved in, progress and develop. I am looking forward to seeing how they turn out.

After my apprenticeship, I intend to carry on working at OPMD and see these projects through to completion.

3) What was your reaction to winning your award?

I was quite overwhelmed winning the award this year. It was lovely to hear all of the nice things people have to say about me and how I've made a positive impact in my department.

4) What would you recommend to anyone considering an Apprenticeship?

I found it quite difficult when starting my apprenticeship because it's a big step up and change from school life. I knew very little about what OPMD did and what my role would be. Fortunately, everyone was really supportive, allowing me to settle in quickly and as time passed I grew to really enjoy my role. Therefore, my advice to someone thinking about starting an apprenticeship is to just try it, even if you are not sure or it's not exactly what you had in mind. It's likely you will be working with like minded people in a role that you will enjoy and a program that will give you many career options in the future.

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2nd Year Apprentice Award 2020 - Teya Agnese

#2020ApprenticeshipAwards

And the winner of the 2nd year Apprentice Award goes to... Teya Agnese

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

1) What is your Apprenticeship?

I am an Apprentice Clinical Trial Support Officer working in the Surgical Intervention Trials Unit (SITU) within the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology & Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), whilst studying a Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship with Abingdon and Witney College.

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

Apprenticeships allow you to kick-start your dream career fresh out of school, or offers you the chance to change your career later in life whilst also earning a generous salary. Not only do you gain skills and experience within the workplace that build you up to be a confident and efficient employee, but you also gain a lot of life experience that will stay with you throughout your professions. You work closely with a brilliant team, meet a lot of friendly faces at college, through the workplace and at apprenticeship events. You have the opportunity to grow your network throughout your apprenticeship course and someone is always there to offer you support.

3) What was your reaction to winning your award?

I am overjoyed, surprised and in the moment, had a little bit of stage nerves! Nonetheless, I am extremely grateful and it was such a great feeling to be recognised for my hard work by not only my wonderfully supportive team, but also by everyone who had a say in deciding that I would be the winner for the 2nd Year Apprentice Award. Thank you!

4) What would you recommend to anyone considering an Apprenticeship?

I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship to everyone looking to learn valuable skills, acquire lots of experience and knowledge by being more hands-on, without gaining any student debt. The advice I would offer when you are looking for your apprenticeship is to take your time to look for a course in an area that you enjoy, or a job that you could see yourself progressing in. There are a variety of brilliant companies and training providers that offer apprenticeships, so take your time to read the job description carefully and research the company. Once you begin your apprenticeship, you will tick off countless tasks and projects throughout the course, accomplishing numerous milestones and building your confidence in every way possible; this will be the most employable experience you can gain.

Finalists for 2nd year apprentice award 2020

Teya's department came to support her

Teya has been a fantastic apprentice ambassador for the University, she comes along to every event that she is able to and always remains enthusiastic and helpful. Congratulations Teya!

Read more about Teya's reaction to this award on the SITU blog.

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1st Year Apprentice Award 2020 - Daniela Cazan

#2020ApprenticeshipAwards

The winner of our 1st year apprentice award went to... Daniela Cazan!

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

1) What is your Apprenticeship?

Digital Marketing Level 3 Apprenticeship, Firebrand Training

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

- You earn while you learn, plus being paid an Oxford Living wage!

- Personal Development alongside your apprenticeship – the University of Oxford offer mentoring, extra training courses, 1:1, shadowing and more for you to further your development. You'll have a world of options open to you!

3) What was your reaction to winning your award?

Shocked and amazed! I’m still pinching myself, wondering if it really happened!

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

If I could give one piece of advice- Don't feel discouraged if you’re not following the "crowd". I would recommend a University of Oxford apprenticeship to everyone – the qualifications, experience, network and opportunities open so many doors.

Daniela is also one of our fantastic apprentice ambassadors and attends many events to help promote the University of Oxford Apprenticeship route as well as boosting awareness of Apprenticeships in general.

To read more about Daniela's role, see her profile on our website!

Daniela volunteered to offer a bit of work experience around her marketing role. You can read about it in our blog post: 1 hour of Marketing, packed within a day of Work Experience

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University of Oxford Apprenticeship Expo & Awards 2020

#2020ApprenticeshipAwards

On Wednesday 11th March, the University of Oxford Apprenticeships Team held the annual Apprenticeship Expo & Awards event at the Sheldonian Theatre.

Overview

This event is a chance to:

Recognise Apprenticeships across the University
Celebrate those who have completed Apprenticeship based training
Award individuals who go above and beyond in their Apprenticeships

Graduation Certificates

We believe it is important to recognise those that have finished their Apprenticeship training with the University. Although the apprentices will receive certificates for the qualifications gained with their training providers, they also gain a completion certificate from the University of Oxford.

This year, we were extremely pleased to have the Vice-Chancellor, professor Louise Richardson, support our event and hand out the certificates after speaking about Apprenticeships within the University.

Awards:

This year there were 8 awards (more than ever before!), all judged by various departments and groups around the University.

1st year Apprentice Award - presented by Wendy Simmonds, HR manager, IT services
WINNER: Daniela Cazan
2nd year Apprentice Award - presented by Jo Harris, Director of Finance, Saïd Business School
WINNER: Teya Agnese
3rd year Apprentice Award - presented by Sue Morris, Senior Appointments, Central HR
WINNER: Alex Knight
Apprentice Technician Award (NEW) - presented by Prof Stuart Mackenzie, Head of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University lead on the Technician Commitment
WINNER: Natalie Davis
Apprentice Ambassador Award (NEW) - presented by Josephine Allen, POD Administrator, People and Organisational Development Team (POD)
WINNER: Bushra Nawaz
Apprentice Poster Award - presented by Melissa Duffin, Apprenticeships Admin & Events Coordinator, Apprenticeships Team
WINNER: Taimur Hashmi
Apprentice Manager Award - presented by Michelle Jones, Apprenticeships Lead, Oxfordshire County Council
WINNER: Georgia Rafferty
Training Provider Individual Award (NEW) - presented by Claire Rees, Recruitment Lead, Oxford University Press
WINNER: Gemma Burgess

Competition

This year, we launched our first ever HASHTAG (#) competition! As an example, the Apprenticeships team took a selfie on stage with the audience...

And the winner of this competition was the Enterprising Oxford Team!

Winning team - Social # competition

#2020ApprenticeshipAwards

POSTERS

Taimur Hashmi - Winner of Apprentice Poster competition

Expo

This year, 13 of our training providers were on hand to answer questions about their Apprenticeship opportunities. Members of staff from around the University arrived between 11-12 to find out more...

If you want to find out more about the event, or about Apprenticeships in general, please get in touch at: apprenticeships@admin.ox.ac.uk

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National Apprenticeship Week - Tea & Chat

#ApprenticeshipAmbassadors

Last week (3 - 9 Feb) was NAW 2020, which used the theme of #LookBeyond to celebrate the diversity and value that Apprenticeships bring across the UK. Employers, communities, and of course the apprentices themselves were highlighting the benefits of Apprenticeships and the breadth of industries and roles now available through this pathway.

One way in which we celebrated, was by hosting a 'Tea & Chat' for some of our apprentice ambassadors to come along and network with each other.

We also used this opportunity to discuss all the positive things which the apprentices had taken from their Apprenticeship so far, and created a poster seen below!