SIX bright young things are looking forward to a successful future after being named Oxford’s best apprentices.

The fifth Annual Apprentice Awards were held at Oxford Town Hall, in St Aldate’s, on Tuesday, for young people who have made an ‘outstanding contribution’ to their place of work.

Joanna Rolstone, 19, of Didcot, was named Oxford’s Apprentice of the Year.

She was awarded for her work in Human Resources at the Cowley Mini Plant.

Miss Rolstone said she joined the scheme two years ago as friends were deciding whether to go to university.

She said: “I heard about the scheme through friends talking about it at school.

“It’s really nice to know I’ve been recognised for the work I have done.

“It also shows how apprentices are really valuable to the workforce. I don’t think people fully understand the extent of the work we do.”

Jack Green, 20, of Piddington, near Bicester, was also given an apprentice award in Electrical Engineering for his work at the plant.

He said: “I really wasn’t expecting it.

“It’s good but I think all of the apprentices work hard. All of us.”

The awards were judged by the Freemen of Oxford, the city’s craft guild that dates back to the ninth century, and were presented by Oxford’s Lord Mayor Elise Benjamin and Sheriff Jean Fooks.

Also awarded for their contributions were Ryan Moore, who was given the award in Civil Engineering for his work at Oxfordshire County Council, Caylun Phillips, who was handed the award in Business and Administration for his work at Oxford City Council, and Emma Hibberd, who works at the Steve Miller Hair Workshop and was given the apprentice award in Health and Beauty.

Tom Marshall was awarded for his work in Sports Coaching and Recreation at the Premier Sports Group.

Freemen’s awards secretary and county councillor John Sanders said the awards were a great recognition of the work the young people had achieved.

He said: “They carry on the best tradition that has kept this city so great for the last 1,200 years.

“Wherever they go they will be proud that they were Oxford’s Apprentices.

“Well done to each of them.”