Access to skills and talent – the acquisition and retention of people – is one of the key drivers of growth and success for any organisation. In December, 2021, Advanced Oxford published their report – Attract, Retain, Grow – which examined Oxfordshire’s innovation-based labour market. Despite the race for talent, the use of apprenticeships within knowledge-based companies is low, particularly within smaller and younger businesses. There are two main reasons why companies do not use apprenticeship training routes: perceived lack of organisational capacity and poor knowledge of apprenticeship training routes or understanding of how to get started.

Join Advanced Oxford for practical advice and support on how to get started on apprenticeships and to learn more about routes for training and attracting entry-level staff, including discussion on technician training initiatives and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, supported by Innovate UK. Advanced Oxford’s Managing Director, Sarah Haywood, will be joined by Sally Andreou, Skills Hub Manager at Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, and Jon Adams from Activate Learning.

About Advanced Oxford

Advanced Oxford is a not-for-profit membership organisation with members drawn from R&D based/innovative companies working across Oxfordshire. Our membership includes companies, Oxford’s two universities, the NHS through Oxford Academic Health Science Network and providers of innovation infrastructure and support.

Advanced Oxford is research-led, providing analysis and a united voice for our members on the key issues affecting the development of the innovation ecosystem in the Oxford region. We generate our own research and work to support and inform key stakeholders involved in the development of the business environment, infrastructure and policy. Advanced Oxford is working to support the long-term development and success of the Oxford region as a place to live and work. We do this by drawing on our collective experience of setting up, running or working in knowledge-based, innovation-focused businesses and organisations. We use our connections to other businesses to generate evidence and undertake research.