As we step into February and usher in National Apprenticeship Week from the 10th, we’re delighted to celebrate our apprentices across the business with our fourth annual Apprentice of The Year (AOTY) Award celebration. OCS is dedicated to nurturing talent and building a skilled workforce, and the latest statistics highlight the remarkable progress we’ve made over the past year. As of December 2024, OCS boasts a live learner strength of 469 apprentices, underscoring our dedication to providing continuous learning and development opportunities for our colleagues.
Our key achievements
In 2024, we welcomed 352 new apprentices, an impressive 122% increase from 2023. This surge in new starters reflects our focused expansion as a leading provider of apprenticeship opportunities and our commitment to empowering our talent pool. We are also proud to announce that 64 apprentices have successfully completed their programmes this year. These individuals now contribute to our skilled workforce full-time, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to their roles.
“I am extremely excited and encouraged by our achievements last year and the vision for 2025. The Skills England levy reform could open up more opportunities for colleagues currently ineligible for levy funding. The annual Apprentice of the Year award ceremony is a clear reminder of how amazing our apprentices are and the support within the business that drives this success.”
Tim Bowers
OCS Apprenticeships and Funded Learning Manager
Apprentice of The Year Award
We’re thrilled to be holding the fourth year of our internal AOTY award, which celebrates the achievements of our apprentices and their line managers. It recognises the tripartite relationship between the skills coach, the apprentice, and the line manager, which is crucial for the success of any apprenticeship.
One of the standout achievements this year is Paige Braun’s completion of the Level 2 Professional Security Operative apprenticeship. Paige became the first apprentice in the country to complete this new standard, achieving a distinction. This milestone is a significant step in creating entry points for recruits and progression paths for those already working in the security sector. Paige shared that she found the course interesting and beneficial, enhancing her knowledge of procedures, laws, and regulations. She appreciated the support from her skills coach, Jayne, and found the assessment process straightforward and supportive.
Plans for the future
Looking ahead, OCS aims to achieve and maintain a baseline live programme strength of 1,000 apprentices. We currently offer apprenticeships across 20 different pathways, contributing to the business’s skills development. We provide 60 apprenticeship programmes within those pathways, with the flexibility to increase this number based on business and personal demand.
