Oxford City Council works with employers, training providers and partners to support recruitment and workforce development across the city. This page outlines the main sources of support available to employers, including help with recruitment, apprenticeships, skills development and inclusive employment.
Developing Oxford’s local skills strategy
Oxford City Council is developing a local skills strategy, which will set out how employers, education providers and partners can work together to meet current and future skills needs in the city.
A link to the strategy will be published here once available.
Inclusive employment
The Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership (OIEP) brings together organisations across the county to support a more inclusive local economy. Its work on inclusive employment focuses on helping employers:
- improve access to jobs and progression
- create inclusive workplaces
- support groups more likely to face barriers to employment, including prison leavers and refugees
Employers can join the movement by signing up to the OIEP’s pledges.
Find out more on the OIEP’s website
Oxford Living Wage
The Oxford Living Wage is a voluntary accreditation for employers who commit to paying a real Living Wage that reflects the cost of living and working in Oxford.
Accredited employers must pay all directly employed staff, and regularly contracted workers, at or above the Oxford Living Wage rate.
Becoming accredited can support recruitment and retention by demonstrating a commitment to fair pay.
Find out more about the Oxford Living Wage and how to become accredited
Skills development and training
Enterprise Oxfordshire Skills
Enterprise Oxfordshire Skills offers programmes to help employers develop skills, recruit apprentices and build local talent pipelines. Support includes:
- skills development programmes
- advice on apprenticeships
- guidance on developing and implementing Community Employment and Procurement Plans
Find out more on Enterprise Oxfordshire’s website
Activate Learning
Activate Learning operate two colleges in Oxford, the City of Oxford College and The Leys College. Activate Learning works with employers to support workforce development, recruitment and skills training. This includes:
- apprenticeships across a range of sectors
- professional and leadership training
- opportunities to engage with students through placements and work experience
- curriculum input
Find out more on Activate Learning’s website
Abingdon & Witney College
Abingdon & Witney College works with employers to deliver apprenticeships and develop tailored training programmes. Employers can access:
- advice on apprenticeship options
- support to develop bespoke training programmes
- opportunities to upskill existing staff
Find on more on Abingdon & Witney College’s website
Aspire Oxfordshire
Aspire Oxfordshire supports inclusive recruitment by connecting employers with job-ready candidates. It works with a wide range of employers across the county, in sectors including adult social care, construction, engineering, hospitality, retail and customer service.
Find out more on Aspire Oxfordshire’s website
Oxford Brookes University
Oxford Brookes University works with employers to help them connect with students and graduates for recruitment and skills development. Employers can access:
- opportunities to advertise vacancies free of charge
- careers events and fairs to meet students and graduates
- support to promote internships, work placements and graduate roles
Find out more on the Oxford Brookes University website
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford Careers Service works with employers to support recruitment and engagement with students and graduates. Employers can access:
- opportunities to advertise vacancies, internships and events through the CareerConnect platform
- careers fairs and events to meet students and promote opportunities
- options to offer internships and collaborative projects with students
Find out more on the University of Oxford Careers Service website
Recruitment support
Jobcentre Plus
Jobcentre Plus provides free recruitment support to employers. This includes:
- advice on filling vacancies
- support with work trials and work experience
- access to sector-based work academy programmes (SWAPs)
- guidance on employing people with disabilities or health conditions, including Access to Work
Vacancies can be advertised free of charge through the ‘Find a job’ service.
Oxford’s Jobcentre Plus is located at 7 Worcester Street, Oxford, OX1 2BX.
Find out more on JobCentre Plus’s website
Other recruitment partners in Oxford
A range of private recruitment agencies operate in Oxford. These services are independent of the council.
- Allen Associates
- Berry Recruitment Oxford
- Brellis Recruitment
- Brook Street Oxford
- Corriculo
- Daniel Owen Oxford
- Daily Info
- Hays Recruitment Agency
- Manpower Oxford
- Michael Page Recruitment Agency
- New Recruits Oxford
- Reed Recruitment Agency
- The Recruitment Group
Oxford City Council provides this information as a guide to services available to employers in Oxford. The organisations listed are independent of the council, and inclusion on this page does not constitute an endorsement of any organisation or service.
