{"id":166912,"date":"2021-11-23T08:59:13","date_gmt":"2021-11-23T08:59:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/realbusiness.co.uk\/?p=166912"},"modified":"2021-11-23T09:03:10","modified_gmt":"2021-11-23T09:03:10","slug":"benefits-hiring-apprentice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/realbusiness.co.uk\/benefits-hiring-apprentice","title":{"rendered":"The Benefits Of Hiring An Apprentice"},"content":{"rendered":"
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More and more businesses are choosing to hire an apprentice, with many finding it an effective way to recruit and train new employees. The benefits of hiring an apprentice are numerous, from bringing new skills into the business to improving productivity. That\u2019s why businesses across the UK are choosing this route.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Whether you choose to hire an apprentice as a new member of staff, or to upskill your existing workforce through an apprenticeship scheme, apprentices make a valuable addition to any workforce and can bring a wealth of new skills to your organisation.<\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll explore some of the advantages of hiring apprentices into your organisation, as well as taking a look at the apprentice recruitment process. We\u2019ll also discuss how you can upskill your existing employees through an apprenticeship scheme.<\/p>\n

What is an apprentice?<\/h2>\n

An apprentice is a type of employee that undertakes training alongside their operational duties. This means that they are given paid time off work to study for a formal qualification. The qualification that is studied will depend on the specific career and the level of apprenticeship.<\/p>\n

The apprentice is also given on the job training by their employer. This enables them to learn their chosen career whilst adding value to your business. By the end of their apprenticeship, they should be fully proficient in the job role, as well as having obtained a formal qualification in the field.<\/p>\n

At the end of the apprenticeship, many apprentices are offered full time employment by the company for which they have been working during the apprenticeship. Others will progress onto other roles or undertake higher levels of apprenticeship.<\/p>\n

Is hiring an apprentice worth it?<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re thinking about hiring an apprentice, you might be wondering whether hiring an apprenticeship is really worth it. After all, as the employer of an apprentice, you\u2019ll be required to provide on the job training to develop your apprentice\u2019s skills, whilst also allowing time for your apprentice to complete a formal qualification.<\/p>\n

There are many advantages of hiring an apprentice, from improving productivity within your organisation to the wealth of new skills that an apprentice can bring to your business. This makes hiring an apprentice an attractive option to many employers.<\/p>\n

However, you\u2019ll also need to bear in mind the commitment that comes with hiring an apprentice. For example, you\u2019ll need to provide on the job training, as well as allowing time for your apprentice to complete their formal qualifications during working hours.<\/p>\n

Despite the extra effort that can come with hiring an apprentice, the majority of employers agree that it is worth it, thanks to the wealth of benefits that hiring an apprentice can bring. But what are the benefits of hiring an apprentice? Read on to find out.<\/p>\n

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What are the benefits of employing apprentices?<\/h2>\n

Taking on an apprentice is an effective way to create a skilled and motivated workforce. And with the UK government continuing to put money into apprenticeships, it\u2019s also a cost-effective way to grow the talent within your organisation. That\u2019s what makes apprenticeships so attractive to employers.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a look at some of the key benefits of hiring an apprentice.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Grow new skills<\/h3>\n

Not only do apprentices bring new ideas and perspectives to your business, but they also increase your skill base, thanks to the formal qualification that they will be taking alongside their employment. In fact, in a recent survey, 86% of employers were quoted as saying that apprenticeships enabled their employees to develop skills that were relevant to their business. This makes hiring an apprentice an effective way of upskilling your workforce and growing skills within the business.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Increase your productivity<\/h3>\n

Taking on an apprentice is a cost-effective way to increase the number of employees within your business. This is because the minimum wage for a first year apprentice is lower than a standard employee, as a result of the training that they are receiving alongside their employment. As a result, hiring an apprentice is a great way to boost productivity within your organisation, without a huge increase in cost. In fact, studies have suggested that over 80% of businesses find that their productivity increases as a result of hiring apprentices.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Generate new ideas<\/h3>\n

With new staff comes a new enthusiasm for the role, as well as new ways of thinking. Fresh minds are perfect for generating new ideas and seeing things from a different perspective. This has led around three quarters of employers to describe apprentices as helping them to improve the quality of the products or services that they offer. So, if you\u2019re ready to bring new ideas and ways of thinking into your organisation, hiring an apprentice could be an effective way to do this.<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Boost employee motivation<\/h3>\n

If your employees feel like they are being supported to develop professionally and given the chance to learn new skills which are transferable to other job roles in the future, they are more likely to give the job their all. This means a boost in motivation, an increase in productivity and an improvement in performance. After all, who doesn\u2019t want motivated staff?<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tailored to your business<\/h3>\n

Hiring an apprentice is a great way to add a new employee who is perfect for their job role and knows your organisation inside out. As you are able to tailor the training of your apprentice based on the needs of your business, you can effectively train your new employee to act and think in the way that you want. This means that they won\u2019t have picked up any bad habits from other organisations, so they will essentially live and breathe your business.<\/p>\n

6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Long term business strategy<\/h3>\n

Whilst hiring an apprentice is likely to create a bit of extra work in the short term, it\u2019s a great way to prioritise the long term strategy of your business. That\u2019s because apprentices are typically keen to learn how your business works, enabling them to quickly begin adding value to your organisation. Over time, you\u2019ll find that they become a valuable asset to your business, enabling you to focus your time on growing other areas of the organisation. That\u2019s why hiring an apprentice is such an effective way to future proof your business.<\/p>\n

7.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Boost employee retention<\/h3>\n

Many business owners find themselves spending time hiring and training new staff, only for them to leave the business a few months later. This is an unproductive use of time and can cost your business thousands of pounds each year. Employing an apprentice can help you to boost your employee retention, as apprentices tend to be more loyal to the business than other types of employees. In fact, one survey conducted by the National Apprenticeship Survey<\/a> suggested that hiring apprentices improved staff retention rates in 69% of companies.<\/p>\n

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How to hire an apprentice<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re considering taking on an apprentice for your business, you might be wondering how to go about doing so. In this section, we\u2019ll talk you through the process of hiring an apprentice, giving you all the information that you need to get started.<\/p>\n

Who can hire an apprentice?<\/h3>\n

Almost any business in the UK can hire an apprentice, and it\u2019s an effective way to bring new skills into your organisation.<\/p>\n

If your pay bill is more than \u00a33 million per year, you\u2019ll be paying into the apprenticeship levy. You can then spend this money on training your apprentices, along with a 10% top up from the government. If there aren\u2019t enough funds in your account, you\u2019ll be required to pay 5% of the outstanding balance, with the government funding the remainder.<\/p>\n

However, if your annual pay bill falls under the \u00a33 million threshold, you will be required to pay just 5% of the costs of training and assessing your apprentices. The government will pay the remaining 95% of the costs of training your apprentice. This means that you\u2019ll be gaining extra skills for your organisation at a low cost. That\u2019s what makes hiring an apprentice such an appealing option for many employers, but especially for small businesses.<\/p>\n

How to find an apprentice<\/h3>\n

So, you\u2019ve decided to hire an apprentice into your organisation, but where do you start with recruitment? There are many different ways to find an apprentice, and you\u2019ll need to choose the option that\u2019s right for your business. Here are just some of the ways to recruit an apprentice:<\/p>\n