Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week
Currently, the College employs eight apprentices across a range of departments, including Human Resources, Works, Catering and the Archives. Each apprentice plays an important role in supporting day-to-day operations while working towards nationally recognised qualifications that will support their long-term career progression.
For apprentices, the benefits are wide-ranging. Alongside earning a salary, they gain real-world experience, structured training and the chance to learn from experienced colleagues in a supportive environment.
" My apprenticeship at St Johns has been great. I started it in the main kitchen and stayed there for two years, and that is where I started to develop my skills and get taught the basics of being a chef. This was also where I got to learn different techniques under all the chefs in the kitchen and how to start building my own style of cooking. I was also pushed to try the Young Chef of the Year competition, which helped me build my confidence in making my own dishes and challenged me to think of recipes that would be suitable for a more high-end setting. While in the main kitchen, I also completed my Level 2 Commis Chef qualification and was allowed to start running smaller dinners in the kitchen. I was then moved to the SCR kitchen, where I am now, learning more fine dining techniques and how to run my own section, and I am now in charge of the salad section most of the week. Overall, I think my apprenticeship here at St Johns has been very good for helping me develop my skills, learn new things about the trade, and be more prepared for future endeavours. " Matthew Hallett
Although apprenticeships are built around learning, we also want to make sure that our apprentices are supported to take on real, meaningful roles within the College. It’s important to us that they’re not just observing and learning from others, but actively using their skills, and feeling like an important part of College life.
Just last week, Jack Kenny, Apprentice in the Main Kitchen, took the lead on a formal dinner for 15 in St Giles House, producing a variety of delicious dishes!
Victoria Beningfield, Apprentice Archivist, was recently recognised in our termly awards for exceptional contributions by staff. Victoria was nominated for her outstanding technical work producing photographs of a range of archival records and documents for the brochure accompanying December's Austens at Oxford exhibition, with a very tight deadline.
These are just two examples of the fantastic work our apprentices are doing across the College. Their skills, enthusiasm, and hard work make a real impact, and we’re incredibly proud of the way they contribute to St John's.
" We’re very proud of our commitment to nurturing talent and supporting professional growth at every stage. Apprentices play a vital role within St John’s, making meaningful contributions across the College while gaining valuable experience and qualifications which set them up to succeed in their careers in College and beyond. Offering apprenticeships not only benefits St John’s, but also creates wider positive impact across our community by investing in the continued growth and strength of the local workforce. " Zoe Hancock, Prinicipal Bursar