October has seen the addition of 6 new Ambassadors from various backgrounds and companies, their never-ending support at careers events, and even an award for two deserving people.

October 4th saw the Oxfordshire Apprenticeships team, along with help from University of Oxford Apprenticeship Manager Clive Shepherd, train 6 new Apprentices as Ambassadors.  Joining our other 14 Ambassadors, is Carpentry Apprentice Justin Whittaker (StuartBarrCDR), Analytical Chemist Apprentice Emily Rose (Green Biologics Ltd), Electrical Apprentice Matthew Thomas (Darke & Taylor), HR Apprentice Grace Parsons (University of Oxford), Library Assistant Apprentice Frances Murray (University of Oxford Bodleian Libraries) and Engineering Apprentice Jade Mcginnity (Lucy Electric).  Find out more about our Apprenticeship Ambassador scheme here and keep an eye out for them as they join us at careers event and workshops.

Engineering Technician Apprentice Jack Owen from BMW MINI Plant Oxford revisited his former school, Chipping Norton School, to talk at their Year 11 Careers Fair, along with fellow former students Ollie and Mikey.  Vehicle Mechanic Mel Haynes was also at the event promoting the vast range of careers available in the Army.

Former Cherwell District Council Apprentice, Laura Cunningham, who now works at Freeths LLP, reached the National Apprenticeship Awards regional finals for the Apprenticeship Champion award.  Put forward by Mel, Laura attended the event in London on October 17th along with Helen, Mel and Aoife from the Oxfordshire Apprenticeships team.  Laura was highly commended in the category which is a huge achievement for both her and Oxfordshire Apprenticeships.  Read more about Laura’s win here.

Once again, Mel Haynes was out and about on October 20th at the West Oxfordshire Learning Partnership Apprenticeship Event, where not only did she give a talk to students and parents about Army careers, but she was interviewed by That’s Oxfordshire TV.  She was joined at the event by Darke & Taylor Electrical Apprentice Mat Thomas who also spoke about his career choice and choosing to do an Apprenticeship over other routes.  Overall, it was a successful event with 35 employers reaching out to over 450 students and parents from the 7 secondary schools in West Oxfordshire.

Justin Whittaker was another award-winning Apprentice this month when he was presented with the Apprentice of the Year award at the 2016 Oxfordshire Construction Training Group awards.  Carpenter Justin was put forward for the award by his employer, StuartBarrCDR, and attended the ceremony at Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel on October 20th.  See pictures from the award ceremony here.

Ambassador Charlotte came along to Kidlington ApprenticeSHOP on October 28th to share her experience of being an Apprentice and offer advice about Business Admin Apprenticeships. See pictures from Kidlington ApprenticeSHOP here.

The OA Team and ambassadors are now getting busy with school career events so keep up with their activity by following them on Twitter and liking them on Facebook! Don’t forget you can also follow Oxfordshire Apprenticeships on Twitter and like them on Facebook as well.

Interested in becoming an Apprenticeship Ambassador yourself? If you would like to become one, or would like to put an Apprentice forward to be part of our next group, get in touch at info@oxfordshireapprenticeships.co.uk for more information.

Article by Charlotte Cox, Apprenticeship Ambassador, Oxfordshire Apprenticeships