Businesses and an MP met to discuss how to kickstart the careers of youngsters in the county. 

Jacobs Douwe Egberts UK and Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership alongside other local employers and politicians took part in a roundtable discussion calling for organisations to help businesses take on their first apprentice.

The two organisations were joined by training providers, Warriner School and charities, as well as Banbury MP Victoria Prentis, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, Liz Leffman and Cherwell district councillors Dr Chukwudi Okeke and Sean Woodcock.

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JDE Banbury, home of household coffee favourites Kenco, L’OR and Tassimo, and OxLEP led the roundtable, which focused on how organisations in the area can work together to promote apprenticeships to a wider pool of employers.

The findings of the roundtable will support OxLEP’s Social Contract programme which was launched in May 2022.

Under this programme, the skills team are providing free support to levy paying businesses to help them transfer unused funds to employers who are keen to access levy funds to pay for apprenticeship training in Oxfordshire.

JDE has already pledged over £50,000 of their unspent apprenticeship levy to support Katherine House Hospice and Hedena Health Centre, providing training for key roles in the NHS and primary education.

Victoria Prentis, MP for Banbury and Attorney General, said: “Apprenticeships are a brilliant way for young people to kickstart their careers.

“They also have a really positive impact on businesses and the wider economy. Ahead of National Apprenticeship Week, I was pleased to join a roundtable hosted by Jacobs Douwe Egberts and OxLEP in Banbury.

“It was great to hear from local business leaders and apprentices about their experiences.”

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1