By Emma Lewis, Tax Cloud
Between Monday 7th and Friday 11th February 2022, the UK celebrates National Apprenticeship Week. The theme this year is “build the future” and focuses on how apprenticeships provide people with the tools and experience needed for a truly rewarding career. It will also consider how businesses can develop a skilled, talented, future-proofed workforce.
Recent government statistics show there were 719,000 people on an apprenticeship programme in England alone in 2019-20. As far as untapped talent goes, that’s a pretty huge pool. So why is hiring an apprentice such a positive step for businesses and what are the benefits? Here we take a look.
How do apprenticeships work?
Many careers start off with both theory and in-house training which allows for plenty of hands-on experience. This makes apprenticeships really well suited to just about any kind of practical profession.
College courses that supplement apprenticeships are widely available, and many further education institutes are willing to advise businesses on candidate suitability. Unlike taking on a new employee, there’s much less stabbing in the dark.
What do employers of an apprentice need to do?
There are a few things businesses will need to do to get the most out of the experience. As a minimum, these include:
- Providing relevant on-the-job training which is then reported back to the apprenticeship provider
- Paying the apprentice for five days a week
- Planning what day-to-day work the apprentice will be doing before they start, including their duties and what you expect of them
- Deciding details like who they’ll be shadowing in your team, and where they’ll be seated (if they’re in the office)
- Making sure the apprentice has the right equipment if they’re expected to work remotely
- Giving the apprentice one day off a week to study
- Financially supporting any college training that grants don’t cover
The experience of many businesses is that apprentices are keen to learn. But finding the perfect one is like filling any other job role: it’s largely based on gut feeling and a decent helping of luck – everything else can be learnt.
What are the benefits for businesses of taking on an apprentice?
Choosing whether to hire an apprentice requires careful consideration. But once you’ve taken the plunge, you’re likely to find the pros for your business far outweigh any cons. For example:
- Apprentices bring a fresh eye
The fresh approach and positive outlook an apprentice will likely bring can be a breath of fresh air for your businesses. This is bound to rub off on existing staff too.
If the apprentice wasn’t keen to learn, they probably wouldn’t have signed up for an apprenticeship in the first place. So make sure you maximise that willingness, taking full advantage of the opportunity to innovate. And you never know, they may just come up with an idea that leads to a lucrative R&D Tax Credits claim.
Apprentices are also generally very diverse. Many will be of university-standard; they simply don’t want the academic commitment and financial restraints that university comes with.
This is a massive opportunity for your business. It’s the chance to get a new perspective on any problems you’ve been grappling with, particularly in terms of technology. After all, as any parents of a young person will know, they tend to take to new technologies like the proverbial bird to water.
- You’re skilling up your trade for the future
Time marches on and modern workplaces are changing. If your business – and indeed your industry – is still going to be here in thirty years’ time, you need to invest in the next generation coming through. By taking on an apprentice, you’re doing your bit to nurture younger employees who will grow with the business, giving them real, practical experience. Many apprentices stay on with a company once their apprenticeship ends, which is also a massive plus point for them and for you. Your investment in them will have paid off, and any skills gaps that arise later stand more chance of being filled from within.
- Apprentices free up extra time
Whatever industry your business is in, you’re probably flat-out busy most of the time. An extra pair of hands to take on the daily stuff – admin tasks especially – can be incredibly useful.
This of course relies on you having trained them up well from day one. It’s not fair on either you or them to simply have them doing the filing or making coffee. But a rounded experience will mean they can hopefully get stuck into those daily jobs that although are worthwhile to the business take up too much of your own time and headspace. This nicely frees you up to focus on service development and strategic business goals.
- An apprentice won’t cost the earth
Thinking financially, hiring an apprentice is generally a no-brainer.
From April this year, the minimum wage for apprentices will be £4.81 an hour, far below minimum wage in fact. Having said that, the more your business can afford to pay an apprentice the better, as you’ll hopefully attract the best candidates. Even the smallest increase over and above the £4.81 will still be excellent value for money.
Don’t forget, businesses can also get apprenticeship funding and support from the government to help.
- Employing an apprentice is a positive thing to do
Hiring an apprentice can also put a positive PR spin on your business, actually improving your bottom line. In fact, a recent government report has said that 25% of consumers are willing to pay more for a business’ products if they are employing an apprentice.
Today’s world is tough for young people especially, and there’s a genuine feel-good factor for businesses that are doing their bit.
Furthermore, taking on an apprentice is a great way to boost your firm’s socialpreneurship. When you take on an apprentice, you’re not just investing money, energy and time into them; you’re also investing in your local community. The costs of higher education are spiralling, with average student debt for those finishing their courses in 2020 standing at £45,000. It’s a scary prospect, with many young people looking for viable alternatives.
To conclude
Investing in an apprentice can be more than a little daunting, especially for SMEs or businesses that haven’t taken the leap before. But it’s also likely to bring benefits along the way that secure your firm’s future. So could 2022 be the year your business gives an apprentice a chance?
