SPURRED on by the level of interest in the 100 in 100 campaign, Oxford & Cherwell Valley College (OCVC) has set itself a challenge to more than double the number of apprentices it trains in the next two years.

Already the leading provider of apprenticeship training in Oxfordshire, OCVC currently trains 550 students from more than 300 companies at its campuses in Banbury, Bicester, Oxford and Blackbird Leys. With the Government making funding extra apprenticeships a high priority and more Oxfordshire businesses seeing the benefits, OCVC wants to boost its apprentice numbers to more than 1,100.

One of the employers taking up the opportunity with OCVC is Hertford College, Oxford. It’s appointing two apprentice chefs to work with Executive Head Chef Eamonn Bennett in its college kitchens from summer 2011. Home Bursar, Dr Andrew Beaumont, says: “Hertford College is delighted to be offering its support to the 100 in 100 campaign. As an educational institution, we are committed as both an employer and as a community to the attainment of personal development and excellence, whether through academia or vocational training. We pride ourselves upon hard work in everything we do, and consequently the campaign fits well with our culture of nurturing skilled individuals and committed team players.”

The Hertford College apprentices will work on one of a number of food sector programmes, but OCVC offers an even wider range of exciting opportunities for professionals looking to expand their skills, prospects and personal development, as well as young adults seeking employment for the first time. OCVC Principal Sally Dicketts says: “A survey for the national apprenticeship service found 80 per cent of businesses who employ apprentices agree they make their workplace more productive. In support of the government Budget commitment to provide extra funding for apprenticeship programmes for learners aged 19-plus, OCVC is looking for employers not only to recruit new apprentices, but also to use this method of training to support the personal development of existing staff.”

Dr Beaumont says that for Hertford College, the opportunity to work closely with OCVC is a major plus: “We are particularly pleased to be contributing to the success of the 100 in 100 campaign in co-operation with Oxford & Cherwell Valley College. Having long enjoyed a successful professional relationship across a broad range of areas and services, it is reassuring for us to know that, as we move in this exciting new direction, we will have the support, experience and advice of OCVC to rely upon.”

Apprenticeships available at OCVC include: AAT Accounting, Brickwork (Trowel Trades), Bench Joinery (Wood Trades), Business Administration, Construction Supervision, Customer Service, Driving Goods Vehicles, Engineering, Food & Beverage Service, Food Manufacturing, Hairdressing, Hand Crafted Furniture, Health & Social Care, Kitchen Services, Maintenance, Management, Motorsports, Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair, Painting & Decorating, Plumbing, Professional Cookery, Site Carpentry (Wood Trades), Sports Coaching & Recreation, Team Leading, Warehouse & Storage.

There’s more at www.ocvc.ac.uk/ apprenticeships. You can also call Employer Services on 01865 551015 or text APPRENTICE with your name and number to 81400.