We know it can be difficult starting your first job and studying at college at the same time so we provide you with your own Training Co-ordinator to support you every step of the way. We also carefully choose every employer that we work with, so that we know you'll get great support at work as well.
We work with employers of all sizes across Oxfordshire, from the large organisations we've all heard of, to the most amazing of small businesses doing inspirational work in their field.
Accountancy - Level 3
Autocare - Level 2
Business Administration - Level 3
Carpentry & Joinery - Level 2
Chartered Manager - Degree Apprenticehip
Customer Service - Level 2 & 3
Digital and Technology Solutions - Degree Apprenticeship
Early Years - Level 2 & 3
Electrical Installation - Level 3
Engineering - Level 2, 3 & 4 | Degree Apprenticeship
Golf Greenkeeping - Level 2
Horticulture & Landscaping - Level 2
IT Solutions - Level 3
Human Resources - Level 3 & 5
Plumbing - Level 2 & 3
Team Leading - Level 3
You might be ready to jump straight into a career after school. Maybe you're already working and want a complete career change. Or perhaps your current employer is looking for the best way to develop your talent further. Whatever your current job role, whatever your age, and whatever level you wish to study at, apprenticeships could help to develop your career.
We work with employers in lots of different industries; from Accounting to Greenkeeping, from Engineering to Team Leading and beyond. You will gain practical skills on the job, earn respected qualifications, and earn a wage too.
High-quality college facilities that compete with any found in industry, along with our award-winning support for apprentices and achievement rates amongst the very best in England, mean that you will have the best chance to succeed with us.
I had a place at university for a full-time course, but I wasn't completely set on what career path I wanted, so I decided the best thing to do would be to get experience.
At college and Oxford Brookes University, it's nice to meet students from other companies; it gives a good insight into other businesses and is interesting to have debates and understand their opinion on different subjects. The lecturers are enthusiastic and willing to help, and it's easier to gain the support in a smaller lecture environment.
I love that my degree is funded, I'm gaining experience that I wouldn't get from university, and it's exciting to know that I'm guaranteed a relevant job at the end of my apprenticeship.
I recommend the land-based courses that the College run to friends all the time. It’s a phenomenal place to learn, especially the attentive way the courses are taught to apprentices. The support from staff is fantastic too. I owe a lot to my tutor in particular.
I personally believe that being a gardener is not just a job, it’s much more. It’s a state of mind. You have to have a passion to make it work.
Gardening is a continuous cycle of hard work, knowledge, and growth. Each season is different and every season has a purpose. You really are working with the grain of nature and this roots you as an individual in a way no other profession does.
Doing an apprenticeship has allowed me to get experience at the same time as studying a full-time degree, and gave me the opportunity to decide what career path I wanted to go down.
I think that working in a full-time role and doing an apprenticeship is never easy. Time management, at first, was my biggest challenge. Ensuring that I was spending enough time on work, studies and myself was hard, but this definitely got easier as I worked out how to manage my time. I am able to use what I learn in the classroom to my day to day work, which is really useful, also allowing me to bring new ideas to the team.
Doing a degree as well as an apprenticeship was the best decision I made.
I love working at Blenheim Palace because no two days are the same and I get to meet people from all kinds of different backgrounds and places. It’s such a supportive work environment, all the managers and staff are so nice and everyone is always willing to help you out. I always get the training I need and time to do my work for college.
Sonja, my tutor, has been amazing too and has really supported and pushed me to succeed. Learning on-the-job has worked perfectly for me and I’ve taken every opportunity I’ve been given at Blenheim with both hands. I hope to keep working at Blenheim once I complete my apprenticeship because I can see that there are so many opportunities here and they really look after and develop their staff
I was a plumber but I've always had a passion for gardening. I was looking for a route into the industry so I applied for an an apprenticeship at Hailey House, a 20-acre country estate near Wallingford. I covered the basic principles of horticulture at the College, including soil structure and plant identification tests. At Level 3 we looked into more advanced subjects such as plant physiology, soil analysis and designing/planting plans, preparing us to take on more responsibility within the industry.
I eventually went on to become the head gardener of an 80-acre, 18th Century estate just outside Oxford. This role gave me the responsibility of managing a large project; creating schedules, hiring/purchasing machinery, delegating tasks to staff and liaising with the estate owners. Having progressed quickly from apprentice to head gardener I felt there was more I needed to learn. I was honoured to be offered a student position at RHS Garden Wisley, where I have been working and studying full time, and being trained by one of the world’s leading organisations in the horticultural industry.
Being an apprentice means that I can gain all the work skills that I need and a degree too, which will help increase my knowledge in the business world, not to mention giving me the chance to ‘earn while I learn’.
We have learnt a variety of topics related to business at the College, such as digital information for business, business management, accounting, operations and customer communications.
I monitor new products that are soon to be launched by manufactures, such as Coca Cola, and then help the commercial team look for new leads and potential projects to help the manufacturer with this new product.
My advice is to take on all challenges thrown at you and give everything a go, but also be willing to ask others for help and advice.
Starting an apprenticeship was definitely a big change of environment but I didn’t really know what to expect; I’d been so used to a school environment, and I wasn’t sure how much it would differ to the work environment.
I learnt some valuable skills in website design and moderating, event planning and social media management. There was even some international travel involved, such as a motorcycle trade show in Milan, Italy.
To anyone thinking about an apprenticeship, I would say go for it! It’s a great option for someone who is looking for a hands-on route into a career, or for people who don’t plan on going to university. It opens up a wide range of opportunities and gives you so many ideas about future careers.
After GCSEs, I spent a bit of time at sixth form, but I realised that this way of learning wasn’t for me. I had always been more hands on with my learning and this is why an apprenticeship was perfect!
Not only can you gain skills and experience within the workplace, but you also gain a lot of life experience that will stay with you throughout your professions.
My business administration apprenticeship has allowed me to work closely with a brilliant team of workplace professionals, meet a lot of friendly faces at Abingdon & Witney College and at University of Oxford apprenticeship networking & ambassador events.
As someone who left school, not knowing which career path to take, my apprenticeship has now enabled me to see clear options ahead of where I would like to go with my career, and with the experience I have gained, has given me the confidence to reach my goals.
Almost all of our apprentices stay in work when they complete their apprenticeship, but most also don't stop learning!
You can progress on to a higher level apprenticeship, including degree apprenticeships, or continue to train in the workplace.
Whatever you choose to do after your apprenticeship, you will have gained the skills, qualifications and experience you need to succeed in your chosen industry.
Apprenticeship XMZR167P
Kick-start your career in the world of carpentry with our apprenticeship...
Apprenticeship XMZS200P
An Auto-care Technician carries out a range of services and repairs to cars, car derived vans and light goods vehicles, working in an Auto-care or “Fast-Fit” Centre, which may be part of a national chain or operated by a regional/local independent gr...
Apprenticeship XMBS350P
Carpentry and Joinery apprentices typically either work on a construction site as a Site Carpenter or in a workshop as an Architectural Joiner. Separate information about site carpentry is also available....
1st Aug 2020 - 31st Jul 2021
Various
Apprentices
Bicester Construction Skills Centre
View course detailsApprenticeship XMBS150P
Carpentry and Joinery apprentices typically either work on a construction site as a Site Carpenter or in a workshop as an Architectural Joiner. Separate information about architectural joinery is also available....
1st Aug 2020 - 31st Jul 2021
Various
Apprentices
Bicester Construction Skills Centre
View course detailsApprenticeship XMZN124P
The role of a customer service practitioner is to deliver high quality products and services to the customers of their organisation.Your core responsibility will be to provide a high quality service to customers which will be delivered from the workp...
Apprenticeship XMZS400P
The broad purpose of the occupation is to work and interact directly with children on a day to day basis supporting the planning of and delivery of activities, purposeful play opportunities and educational programmes within the ethos of the setting. ...
Apprenticeship XMZN300P
A Golf Greenkeeper is responsible for the maintenance, care and overall appearance of a golf course in line with employer’s requirements. It is their job to maintain a good quality playing surface and ensure the course offers a consistent challenge a...
Apprenticeship XMZN301P
Horticulture or landscape operatives can be employed to work in public parks and gardens, green spaces and historic gardens, private gardens and estates or in production nurseries and retail outlets.Many businesses will be specialised in their activi...
Apprenticeship XMBS300P
Carpentry and Joinery apprentices typically either work on a construction site as a Site Carpenter or in a workshop as an Architectural Joiner. Separate information about site carpentry is also available....
1st Aug 2020 - 31st Jul 2021
Various
Apprentices
Bicester Construction Skills Centre
View course detailsApprenticeship XMZN102P
An Assistant Accountant provides support to internal and external customers and will work predominately either as an assistant accountant within practice or alternatively within the finance function of an organisation.Part of their role will involve ...
Apprenticeship XMZQ120P
Business administrators have a highly transferable set of knowledge, skills and behaviours that can be applied in all sectors. This includes small and large businesses alike; from the public sector, private sector and charitable sector.The role may i...
Apprenticeship XMBS200P
Property Maintenance Operatives optimise property condition and quality and ensure that buildings are kept in a safe working condition whilst providing a high level of satisfaction to customers....
1st Aug 2020 - 31st Jul 2021
Various
Apprentices
Bicester Construction Skills Centre
View course detailsApprenticeship XMBS250P
Carpentry and Joinery apprentices typically either work on a construction site as a Site Carpenter or in a workshop as an Architectural Joiner. Separate information about architectural joinery is also available....
1st Aug 2020 - 31st Jul 2021
Various
Apprentices
Bicester Construction Skills Centre
View course detailsApprenticeship XMZQ190P
The main purpose of a customer service specialist is to be a ‘professional’ for direct customer support within all sectors and organisation types. You are an advocate of Customer Service who acts as a referral point for dealing with more complex or t...
Apprenticeship XMZR400P
Early Years Educators, and other job roles such as nursery nurse and childminders, are highly trained professionals who play a key role in ensuring that young children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe.They work in a range of setti...
Apprenticeship XMBS050P
Gas engineering involves the safe installation, commission, decommission and the ongoing service and repair of gas appliances in either a domestic or non-domestic setting. Appliances can include central heating boilers, unvented hot water storage, co...
1st Aug 2020 - 31st Jul 2021
Various
Apprentices
Bicester Construction Skills Centre
View course detailsApprenticeship XMZP611P
HR Professionals in this role are typically either working in a medium to large organisation as part of the HR function delivering front line support to managers and employees, or are a HR Manager in a small organisation.Their work is likely to inclu...
Apprenticeship XMZS102P
The IT Solutions Technician apprenticeship contains two pathways: IT Hardware Solutions and IT Software Solutions.IT Hardware Solutions Technicians undertake activities in the area of the infrastructure aspects of solutions such as servers and networ...
Apprenticeship XMBS100P
Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technicians plan, select, install, service, commission and maintain all aspects of plumbing and heating systems....
1st Aug 2020 - 31st Jul 2021
Various
Apprentices
Bicester Construction Skills Centre
View course detailsApprenticeship XMZP708P
A Team leader or supervisor is a first line management role, with operational and project responsibilities or responsibility for managing a team to deliver a clearly defined outcome. They provide direction, instructions and guidance to ensure the ach...
Apprenticeship XMZP605P
This role could be called an HR consultant or an HR business partner in different organisations. Individuals in this role will use their HR expertise to provide and lead the delivery of HR solutions to business challenges, together with tailored advi...
Apprenticeship XMZP123P
A Chartered Manager is someone who can take responsibility for people, projects, operations and/or services.They deliver long term organisational success, with the professional recognition of their ability to deliver impact, behave ethically and demo...
Apprenticeship XMZR601P
A Digital & Technology Solutions Professional provides technology enabled solutions to internal and/or external customers, in a range of areas including software, business and systems analysis, cyber security, data analysis and network infrastructure...
Apprenticeship XMZR600P
A Digital & Technology Solutions Professional provides technology enabled solutions to internal and/or external customers, in a range of areas including software, business and systems analysis, cyber security, data analysis and network infrastructure...
Apprenticeship XMZP124P
The role of the Embedded Electronic Systems Design and Development Engineer is to apply their knowledge of electronics and of embedded software to the design of circuits or devices that provide a useful function, that are capable of being manufacture...