On Thursday 22nd May, the beautiful Long Library at Blenheim Palace played host to the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2025 – an evening dedicated to recognising the achievements of apprentices, employers, and training providers across the county.

Organised by Enterprise Oxfordshire Skills and supported by headline sponsor The Hill Group, the annual awards shine a light on the individuals and organisations making a real difference through apprenticeships.

This year, Abingdon & Witney College was proud to celebrate alongside five of our outstanding apprentices who were named as finalists across multiple categories.

We are delighted to share that the following three apprentices were named winners:

• Jessie Weavers-Medina (University of Oxford) – Apprentice of the Year

This award acknowledges the effort and dedication I’ve invested in my apprenticeship and degree. Beyond that, it sends a powerful message that trans people have a rightful place in these spaces. We’re not merely taking part, we are excelling and leading the way forward.

Jack Robins (Jonas Software UK and Europe) – Intermediate Apprentice of the Year

• Adam Hitchmen (Webexpenses) – Rising Star

When I first joined I had no idea of the office world I was entering. The only thing I had going for me was that I'm a people person joining a people team. Seven months later I'm winning an award and the feeling of being recognised is just fuelling me to become better at anything I do.

The following two apprentices were recognised with Highly Commended awards:

• Roman Kane (Ashmolean Museum) – Rising Star

• Alice Howes (University of Oxford) – Rising Star

These awards are a powerful reflection of the talent, dedication and hard work shown by our apprentices, as well as the unwavering support of their employers and College tutors.

Will Gibbs, Construction Skills Project Lead:

“The Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards was a fantastic evening of celebrating the amazing success and stories of some of the best apprentices in the county. It was great to see so many finalists from Abingdon & Witney College, and just goes to show how being an Ofsted rated ‘Outstanding’ provider of apprenticeships really has an effect on our learners.”

We are incredibly proud of all our finalists and winners – their achievements showcase the strength of our apprenticeship programmes and the rich career opportunities they create.

To find out more about becoming an apprentice or apprentice employer with Abingdon & Witney College, click here.