Apprenticeships at XDS Oxford
XDS Oxford has been bringing in new talent through a very successful apprenticeship programme, in partnership with Engineering Trust Training Limited (ETT), for more than 15 years. ETT has been delivering engineering apprenticeships for over 25 years and has vast experience in recruiting within the engineering sector. A work-based apprenticeship is an ideal training and development opportunity for motivated, driven candidates.
An apprenticeship with XDS Oxford allows the opportunity to gain experience of scientific instrumentation and its applications along with valuable scientific knowledge at the same time gaining recognised engineering qualifications. Working alongside Technicians and Engineers, our apprentices train in the skills required for the assembly and test of complex, high value components to customers’ individual specification. Each customer’s requirement is specific to their own needs, meaning very little repetition and a great deal of variety.
During the apprenticeship, the opportunity to travel to customer site may arise. This allows the apprentice to gain valuable site experience during installation or service visits, whilst assisting a more senior Technician and putting the learned practical skills into practise.
To see the instruments in-situ gives much more context to the components being manufactured here in the factory!
For further information on how to apply, please visit www.theengineeringtrust.org.
Our apprentices work hard to achieve their goals and we’re immensely proud that several have been nominated for ETT Apprentice Awards.
Apprentice of the Year Award
Bryn (Highly Commended - 2026)
Oli C (Highly Commended - 2025)
Nathan (Highly Commended - 2025)
Angus (Highly Commended - 2024)
Trevor Woodger Award for Career Progression
James (Highly Commended - 2026)
Phil (Winner - 2024)
4th Year Award
Lilian - (Highly Commended - 2019)
3rd Year Award
Lilian (Winner - 2018)
The finalists are invited to the Annual Awards Results and Presentation Evening, an opportunity for apprentices, employees, and employers to come together and celebrate excellence in apprenticeships.
In 2023, we were finalists at the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards in the Apprenticeship Employer of the Year (<250 employees) category. We are delighted to have been highly commended in the category, demonstrating our commitment to our Apprenticeship programme and the development of our fantastic Apprentices.
In 2024 we were featured in a report published by the Institute of Physics - "Solving Skills One Year On: Partnerships powering apprenticeships", which highlights organisations playing a significant role in increasing local awareness of apprenticeship opportunities, working in partnership with other employers and training providers to meet local skills needs. The full report can be found at http://IOP.org/SolvingSkills.
