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Beyond the balance sheet

What are the benefits of an apprenticeship for employers?

Christina Nawrocki 17/8/2017 4 minute read

Christina Nawrocki FCCA explains what an apprenticeship scheme can mean for your organisation.

Apprenticeships are becoming increasingly popular among people looking to enter the workplace, as well as those seeking to expand their experience or develop industry specific skills. These schemes deliver valuable knowledge, proficiency and work experience, whilst providing a potential pathway to a career and salary progression.

But what are the benefits of an apprenticeship for growing businesses? There are clear advantages for organisations, chief of which is you get access to new, untapped talent. In this post we reveal the 5 core areas where an apprenticeship scheme can make a real difference to your enterprise.

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1. Job specific training

Apprenticeship schemes often entail on the job training alongside off the job learning, enabling the candidate in question to gain new skills which can be tailored specifically to the needs of your business.

The ability to teach a young person with a fresh perspective and enthusiasm can help tackle any potential skills shortages present in your operation. By working with a training provider on this matter and investing in job specific upskilling, will allow you to grow and nurture your own talent. Furthermore apprenticeships are more job related than any other type of learning.

However, whilst many embark on apprenticeship routes early in their career, it’s important to note that apprenticeships aren’t just exclusive to young people. Your current employees of all ages can undertake an apprenticeship scheme to gain new skills and qualifications.  

2. Demonstrates you're investing in your employees

Providing apprenticeship schemes can display a willingness to invest in and develop your workforce, giving current employees a real reason to be optimistic for their future prospects. A business willing to invest in its people demonstrates a positive approach which can be very useful for hiring future staff.

Furthermore delivering this training highlights to customers that you're investing in the development of the product or service that they receive.

3. Lower staff turnover

The route which apprentices choose to take upon gaining their qualifications is down to their individual preference. Often apprentices choose to stay with the employer they’ve completed their apprenticeship with - you've provided them with an opportunity to learn and earn money through their salary.

Apprentices are thus likely to feel appreciated and demonstrate opportunities for progression in their work. This can be hugely beneficial to your business as staff turnover will be lower, which goes hand in hand with the minimal expense of continually having to recruit and train new employees.

4. Revitalise your business

Apprentices are often willing to learn, with a positive attitude and fresh ideas, which can have a positive knock on effect on existing staff. After all, a positive and content workforce are more likely to perform better than those with low morale.

 


Stats for success

According to Skills for Careers:

  • 83% of employers rely on their apprenticeships programme to provide the skilled workers that they need for the future.
  • 88% believe that apprenticeships lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce.

Why apprenticeships are becoming more popular? More school leavers versus less going to University?

Apprenticeships are undoubtedly becoming the first choice for some school leavers. This can often be put down to the hefty fees of undergraduate degrees at university. The attractive nature of apprenticeships; gaining an invaluable qualification, work experience and getting paid, can sway the decision away from attending university.

The numerous apprenticeship training options are ever growing, making adoption and utilisation easier and more accessible to your business. Furthermore many young people are concerned by the large level of debt linked to University, so are choosing to embark on employment instead to gain the qualifications and experience needed to kick-start their career.

What if they leave to go somewhere else during/at the end of the scheme?

After spending countless hours training an apprentice, this question can cross your mind. What if they leave once they’ve completed the apprenticeship? It’s a calculated risk you’ve got to take as a business. You’ll benefit from them in the short-term, but if they decide the leave you may not reap the long term benefits. However, if they decide to stay you've gained a newly skilled employee.

Apprentices may find it challenging at times to stay inspired because of the levels of pay – but you should remember that many will see it as being paid to learn and so gain invaluable qualifications.

Get some more insight by reading what an apprentice at Wellers thinks here!

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The content of this post is up to date and relevant as at 17/08/2017.

Please be aware that information provided by this blog is subject to regular legal and regulatory change. We recommend that you do not take any information held within our website or guides (eBooks) as a definitive guide to the law on the relevant matter being discussed. We suggest your course of action should be to seek legal or professional advice where necessary rather than relying on the content supplied by the author(s) of this blog.

 

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