Oxford North celebrates National Apprenticeship Week having reached 40 apprentices and hears from six inspiring young talent

Since Oxford North, the new £700 million innovation district in Oxford, started construction, 40 apprentices have been employed as a result of this major masterplan project.

In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week 2025, we met six apprentices starting out in their careers to find out what they do and why they would recommend to anyone an apprenticeship career in construction.

Meet Kyran

Kyran works for Laing O'Rourke's sub-contractor BST Electrical delivering the Red Hall and first two laboratory buildings.

BST Electrical was looking for a local apprentice. Laing O’Rourke worked with Activate Learning college’s pool of Level 1 electrical installation students and it was Kyran who really excelled and stood out. He was interviewed on-site at Oxford North and was offered the job that same day. Kyran started on-site in October 2024 and has excelled at his first block release training.

Meet Amar

A graduate site engineer, Amar works for Maylim delivering the landscape works as a sub-contractor for Mace for Fallaize Park. He studied civil engineering at the University of Nottingham and completed his masters in construction management at the University of Wolverhampton. He is three weeks into the job and says:

"It's quite varied. I'm very supported from the engineers and project manager on the team. I attend daily meetings and produce project progress reports. It's very exciting to be working on a project like this. I would sum-up Oxford North in one word as 'impressive.' Definitely people should give construction a go."

Meet Shahid

Shadid is an apprentice engineer working at Careys delivering the infrastructure works for the public realm. He has worked at Careys for three years, initially as a groundworker and then moved into engineering. He studies on Wednesdays at Buckinghamshire College Group's Aylesbury campus.

"The best bit about the job is the environment and people around you. The experience you have - it's a good way to learn. Everyday you learn something new. Being an apprentice is a good opportunity to study and earn as well - you get the best of both worlds. Working here is fantastic and sometimes challenging - the team is very supportive and helpful and you take one day at a time. I would sum up Oxford North as 'unique' because of the way the project is masterplanned and how we're delivering it with other sub contractors."

Meet Madison

Madison started her apprenticeship in quantity surveying. She has worked at Careys for two years working and learning. She has moved into the recruitment and skills side focusing on social impact.

"Working for Careys is great as it has a family culture vibe and everyone is so welcoming and helpful. I never thought I would be in construction doing my apprenticeship but I would say to people to take a leap! It is a massive industry and you can do anything. There are so many opportunities and it's great to see when jobs are finished and know you have played a part in that. Oxford North in one word is 'welcoming'."

Meet Charlie

A trainee site manager, Charlie works for The Hill Group delivering Oxford North's first 317 new homes on Canalside Quarter. His five year course involves working four days on-site and one day at university. He most enjoys the mix of being outside on the construction site and spending a bit of time in the office. He started his career as a labourer in Witney before moving into bricklaying. Now he's on The Hill Group's apprenticeship programme.

"I would encourage more people to look into construction. There is so much going on in Oxfordshire and it's a great career and good pay. I would sum up Oxford North in one word as 'different'."

Meet Connor

Connor joined The Hill Group three years ago and is at University of Westminster studying construction management. He is a technical coordinator on the Canalside Quarter new homes project delivering the first 317 new homes.

"The Hill Group is really supportive and has a good name in the industry for apprenticeship courses. I live nearby in Oxfordshire and working on such a large project gives me good and bespoke experience. I would encourage people into the industry by telling them about all the different roles - it isn't just bricklaying but engineering and more. I would sum up Oxford North in one word as 'impressive'."

Oxford North Ventures is the joint venture company of Thomas White Oxford, the development company of St John’s College, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and Stanhope.

Simon Ruck, managing director, Oxford North Ventures said: “Oxford North is all about creating job opportunities both in the construction and through to the operational phase. To have already supported 40 apprentices since the project started is testament to all the construction partners, sub-contractors and their managers encouraging young people into the industry. All the apprentices deserve recognition for their hard work and dedication to help deliver this incredible new innovation district for Oxford.

"Kyran, Amar, Shahid, Madison, Charlie and Connor should be very proud of themselves that they are creating workspaces, homes and public spaces and will be able to look back in years to come and know that they were apart of such a major project.

"With such a varied range of roles available, we are encouraging more people to consider a career in construction and will continue promoting the roles on offer through our outreach in schools, colleges and universities.”

Find out more about Jobs and apprenticeship roles starting in September at Oxford North.