Hundreds of new jobs have been created at the £700m Oxford North development.

Since building works started in August 2021, the new innovation district in Oxford has created 448 new construction jobs.

In total, 22 per cent of these roles were filled by people based in Oxfordshire and eight new apprentices have been employed through the project’s construction partners.

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Oxford North is the new £700m innovation district in Oxford and will deliver one million sq ft (92,903 sq m) of laboratory and work spaces, 480 new homes, a hotel, nursery, cafes, bars, three public parks and infrastructure.

The Hill Group has provided the initial infrastructure work and is now focused on building the first new homes on Canalside south of the A40.

The city council has announced the acquisition of 111 homes from The Hill Group.

Careys is responsible for the A44 improvement works which are being carried out on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council and it is intended to help promote walking, cycling and bus travel between the Wolvercote and Peartree roundabouts.

Work has started on the new central park, market square, Red Hall and first two lab buildings.

Oxford Mail: Alex Morley, trainee apprentice site manager for Hill GroupOxford North recently published its ambitious new Community Employment Plan which set out how the project will maximise the opportunities created for local people and businesses during the next 18 months of construction.

Targets have been agreed to reflect the nature of the next phase of works and include a minimum 15 per cent local Oxfordshire employment boost, 55 apprenticeships, 37 work experience opportunities, 680 hours of volunteering, career events, school engagement and site tours.

A dedicated Jobs webpage has been launched which showcases roles are available and allows people to submit their CVs for consideration for future roles.

Current jobs include site manager, project manager, contract surveyor, steelfixers and carpenters.

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The project collaborates through its Social Value Steering Group which meets quarterly and includes Oxford City Council, OxLEP, Department for Work and Pensions, Oxford Jobcentreplus, CITB, Aspire, Abingdon & Witney College and Activate Learning representatives, to establish a local resident talent pool which is linked to the job opportunities created.

Oxford North Ventures is the joint venture company of Thomas White Oxford, the development company of St John’s College, Cadillac Fairview and Stanhope.

Oxford Mail: The Red Hall at Oxford North

Victoria Collett, development director of Thomas White Oxford, said: “We welcome these newly published figures as it shows that our strategy is working, and that local people are benefitting through employment on the project.

"Creating jobs through real estate developments such as Oxford North is an important step towards a more resilient economy.

“Our project is generating jobs, boosting economic activity and providing improved infrastructure."

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David Camp, chief executive officer of Stanhope, added: “Projects such as Oxford North don’t just create jobs and supply chain opportunities, they deliver increased tax revenues from businesses, and benefit residents by giving access to modern facilities for living, working, and visiting, all set in a welcoming environment."

To read Oxford North’s Community Employment Plan, visit: https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/jKwgCgZqqsAn0JxOcNDa-X/

To view the latest jobs, please visit: https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/OkRGCjZwwsnk50MKsRvv1R/

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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