We are delighted to introduce Integration Technology Ltd as the sponsor of the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2021 Shining Star Award, a new award for this year that will recognise someone who has made outstanding progress in their career since completing their Apprenticeship and has the potential to achieve even more. 

Integration Technology Ltd is a pioneering designer and developer of ultra-violet (UV) curing solutions for ink jet printing, as well as other emerging technologies. Marketing Director Simon Roberts explains why they're proud to support the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards and the Shining Star Award in particular.

Tell us why you’re supporting the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards and why you have chosen to sponsor your particular category

We are delighted to be sponsoring the Shining Star category for the third year in a row.

Integration Technology has been a long-time supporter not only of the Oxfordshire Apprenticeships Awards but of Apprenticeships in general. We have always looked at Apprenticeships as a meaningful and rewarding way of finding your chosen career and have rolled out various programs within our business over the years. Indeed over half our senior leadership team are former Apprentices or vocationally trained, including our CEO, a record we are very proud of.

What are you looking for in the winner of your category?

We will be looking for individuals who are passionate about their chosen careers and about selecting an Apprenticeship as a route into their career. We will also be looking for evidence that they have clearly positively contributed and been a benefit to their respective employer(s) or business.

The ideal finalist will be someone who has been involved in externally promoting Apprenticeships (after completing their own); who can articulate a clear vision of their future career development, including continuing with (or planning to continue with) further training and professional development, as well as a passion for what they do and in encouraging and mentoring others.

What would you say to anyone thinking about entering or nominating?

Go for it and please don’t be shy. We love hearing people talking positively about their job role and how they found their chosen career and would like you to share your story in the hope of inspiring others (who have yet to enter the world of work) about how taking an Apprenticeship is a really rewarding and meaningful experience.

Tell us about your organisation’s experience of Apprenticeships

We have had extensive participation with local schools, businesses and the wider community in mentoring and championing the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship programme.

This has included offering work experience and careers advice to young people, ensuring that they understand the value added that an Apprenticeship can bring them and why businesses offer them. We also meet with the local business community at workshops or seminars; detailing the benefits of, and offering support on, how to implement successful Apprenticeship programmes.

We have in the past utilised Apprenticeships as a means or recruitment within our organisation, as well as operating a constant program of internal training and mentoring to ensure our workforce remains ‘world class’.

This internal culture has been led by our CEO, (who is currently Chair of the Oxfordshire Skills Board). The Shining Star Award and its criteria fits the ethos Integration Technology promotes around Apprenticeships and further training. 

Join the conversation

Join us for Oxfordshire Apprenticeships Hour (#OAHour) on Twitter @OxonApprentice from 1pm every Thursday for latest on the Awards and join in the conversation using the hashtag #OAAwards2021.