Apprentice Employer Open Evenings
NAW2025
Visit an Engineering Apprentice Employer
We’re thrilled to announce the return of our Employer Open Evenings during this year’s National Apprenticeship Week 2025! This exciting event brings together leading engineering employers who will open their doors to showcase the incredible work they do.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- Exclusive Insights: Learn about the innovative projects and day-to-day operations of top engineering companies.
- Facility Tours: Explore cutting-edge facilities and see where the magic happens.
- Networking Opportunities: Meet industry professionals and discover more about the exciting career paths and apprenticeships available.
BOOKING SLOTS ARE NOW OPEN. Please scroll down to book your slot.
Monday 10th February 2024
XDS Oxford
Location: XDS Oxford Ltd. Units 1-4 Ferry Mills, Osney Mead, Oxford, OX2 0ES.
Time Slots: From 6pm until 8pm
Date: 10th February 2025
XDS Oxford Limited is a leading supplier of scientific instrumentation used around the world to help researchers answer a wide range of questions relating to biological, material, environmental and medical fields. XDS Oxford instruments have allowed scientists to study a multitude of subjects, including COVID-19, cancer, composition of materials and efficiently sustainable products for everyday life.
Former apprentices have progressed into senior roles with XDS, developing the skills and knowledge they gained during their apprenticeship, bringing the opportunity to travel the world to install the products. If you’re interested in an engineering career, come along to hear more about XDS and their exciting opportunities.
ercol, Princes Risborough
Location: Ercol Furniture Limited, Summerleys Road, Princes Risborough, Bucks, HP27 9PX
Time Slots: From 6pm to 8pm
Date: 10th February 2025
BOOk a free place here
Ercol is a market leader in the manufacture of high-quality solid wood furniture. Their highly skilled workforce has always been the most valuable asset and for over a hundred years they have remained committed to investing in the craftsmen and women of the future.
They have a fantastic history of training apprentices at all levels of their business and currently have learners in their machining, assembly, finishing and maintenance departments.
Visiting their factory during NAW25 will give you an insight into how their furniture is produced as well as information about the current and future career opportunities within the business.
Tuesday 11th February 2024
Norbar Torque Tools, Banbury
Location: Norbar Torque Tools, Wildmere Road, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 3JU
Time Slots: From 6pm until 7.10pm
Date: 11th February 2025
BOOk a free place here
State-of-the-art factory facilities ensure they provide the very latest design, manufacturing and quality control technology to achieve the highest level of innovation and precision in the field of torque control equipment.
Norbar is a member of the Snap-on Incorporated family of companies and is proud to be part of a company which has beliefs, values and a vision closely aligned with those that Norbar was founded on.
They have a rich history of apprenticeships and have provided countless people with their first steps into an engineering career. They offer advanced 4 year electronic / mechanical apprenticeships, with a high quality of training, support, pay and benefits employing people with drive, enthusiasm and genuine interest in engineering.
AFE, Carterton
Location: Advanced Fibreoptic Engineering Ltd, Unit 3 Glebe Court, West Oxfordshire Business Park,
Carterton, Oxfordshire, OX18 3FX.
Time Slots: From 6pm until 8pm
Date: 11th February 2025
BOOk a free place here
AFE was formed in 2005 and specialise in customised solutions to complex technology challenges, developed in partnership with their customers who come from sectors such as Aerospace, Defence and Power Networks. They draw on their rich fibre-optic history to design, assemble and align precision optical products and have developed the engineering expertise to design and manufacture larger integrated systems across the sectors they work in.
Their focus on people is a key element to their success. Alongside their engineering pedigree, strong customer and supplier relationships are at the heart of AFE with a commitment to recognising the value of their employees.
Wednesday 12th February 2024
Navtech Radar, Grove (Wantage)
Location: Navtech Radar, Unit 1A, Grove Business Park, Downsview, Wantage, OX12 9FF
Time Slots: From 6pm until 8pm
Date: 12th February 2025
BOOk a free place here
Navtech Radar is a world-leading innovator and award-winning designer of radar solutions for Security Surveillance, Industrial Automation, and Intelligent Transport Systems. Founded in 1999, Navtech began in automation, contributing to the world’s first fully automated port, which still uses its sensors today. Currently, over 5,000 of its radars are deployed in more than 50 countries, all produced at its facility in Grove, Wantage.
Navtech is dedicated to developing future engineers through apprenticeships and extensive training programs. This open evening is a unique opportunity for school leavers to explore engineering careers with a pioneering company.
Barrus, Bicester
Location: E. P. Barrus Ltd, Glen Way, Launton Road, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX26 4UR
Time Slots: From 6pm until 8pm
Date: 12th February 2025
BOOk a free place here
Barrus operates across three market sectors, Marine, Garden and Industrial/Off-Highway, representing leading global companies in the UK including Stanley Black & Decker, Mercury Marine, Yanmar and John Deere. Barrus is recognised worldwide as a leading custom-engine builder and innovator of proprietary technology; its application engineers and engine builders ensure the optimum engine specification is supplied to well known UK OEMs.
Dedicated to research and development, Barrus staff work as consultants to the MoD, the RNLI and other military and emergency services organisations supplying specialist engines and equipment. In recent years Barrus has introduced several low and zero emission marine propulsion options to the market.
Barrus’ professional sales and technical after-sales teams provide back-up to a network of over 3,000 authorised dealers and retailers, providing high quality products and service to the end-user.?
Barrus is training multiple apprentices at level 3 and offers paid year-long work experience placements to students from local universities.
Thursday 13th February 2025
Fortescue Zero, Kidlington
Location: Fortescue Zero, Unit 5 Technology Dr, Kidlington OX5 1GN.
Time Slots: From 6pm until 8pm
Date: 13th February 2025
BOOk a free place here
Fortescue is the technology, energy and metals group accelerating the commercial decarbonisation of industry, rapidly, profitably and globally. It is leading the green industrial revolution, building a global portfolio of renewable green hydrogen and green ammonia projects and green technology solutions, while also leading the global effort to help decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors.
Fortescue Zero is the green technology and engineering services business, creating the solutions required to enable a zero emissions future. We operate across a wide range of sectors from automotive and motorsports, aerospace and defence, rail, off-highway and energy, working in close collaboration with customers and partners to find solutions to the key engineering challenges associated with decarbonisation. This includes developing and acquiring the technology and energy supply to help decarbonize the Australian iron ore operations of one of the world’s largest producers of iron ore, Fortescue Metals, by 2030 (Scope 1 and 2 terrestrial emissions).
Lucy Electric, Thame
Location: Lucy Electric, Howland Rd, Thame OX9 3UJ.
Time Slots: From 6pm until 8pm
Date: 13th February 2025
BOOk a free place here
Lucy Group is an international group that is making the built environment more sustainable.
Our electric businesses advance the transition to a carbon-free world with infrastructure that enables renewable energy and smart cities. Our real estate businesses support sustainable living, via responsible property development and investment.
Established in Oxford over 200 years ago, we now trade worldwide and employ over 1,700 people across 5 continents and 12 countries.