10 Benefits of Hiring an Apprentice – The Reasons Apprenticeships Work

An apprenticeship is a real job with training. Individuals earn while they learn, gaining valuable skills and knowledge in a specific job role.

Apprenticeships are available in over 1,500 occupations across 170 industries. Businesses in all industry sectors in England can recruit apprentices and, depending on the level of the apprenticeship and job role, they can take between twelve months and five years to complete.

Apprentices can be new or current employees, must be over 16, (there is no upper limit for Apprenticeship training), and eligible to live and work in England.

Most of the ‘on the job’ training for an Apprenticeship is undertaken at the employers premises, gaining job specific skills in the workplace. The ‘off the job’ training is delivered and monitored by the training provider, through visits, taught sessions, courses and online, as agreed when the apprenticeship programme is set up.

Apprenticeships represent a robust and powerful tool to recruit, train and retain diverse talent for your organisation.

How Can Apprenticeships Support Your Business?

1. Cost-Effective Talent Development

Apprenticeships allow organisations to train individuals from the ground up, shaping their skills according to company needs. With no employers’ NI for apprentices under 25 and apprentice NMW being lower during their training period, this makes them a cost-effective option for bringing in new talent.

2. Addressing Skills Shortages

Apprenticeships provide a way to fill skills gaps in the workforce. Employers can train apprentices in specialised areas that are crucial for their business. Channel Training also offers a NGB training package giving apprentices crucial qualifications to enable them to be productive in the workplace. In addition Channel Training offers free and discounted CPD for your non-apprentice staff.

3. Increased Productivity

Studies show that apprentices often become highly productive and contribute significantly to the business. As they learn on the job, they quickly acquire practical skills, which boosts their productivity. Industry research has revealed 77% of employers agreed that taking on apprentices helped to make their organisations more competitive.

4. Tailored to Business Needs

Apprenticeships offer the opportunity to train employees specifically in line with your company’s processes, values, and culture. The support of a training provider allows organisations to focus more clearly on their core business objectives.

5. Improved Employee Retention

Investing in apprentices can foster loyalty and commitment. Apprentices often feel a strong connection to the company that trained them, which can lead to higher retention rates. Industry research from the National Apprenticeship Service shows 90% of apprentices stay on in their place of work after completion of their placement.

This also helps create a culture throughout the rest of the team, with further data from the National Apprenticeship Service showing 80% of companies with an apprentice have reported a significant increase in employee retention. Happy team, happy customers, happy work life.

6. Access to Government Support

Funding is available from the Government to support apprenticeship provision. This reduces the cost burden and makes hiring apprentices even more attractive. You have no need to budget for Training and Development / CPD for apprentices… this is all funded.

7. Diversity and Fresh Perspectives

Apprentices bring new ideas and fresh perspectives to the workplace. Often from diverse backgrounds, they can contribute innovative approaches and creativity. They will bring bags of energy, not to mention a fresh perspective and new ideas. After all, the National Apprenticeship Service website states that 96% of employers who take on an apprentice report benefits to their business.

8. Succession Planning

Apprenticeships help build a pipeline of future talent. As they develop within the company, apprentices can grow into full-time, long-term roles, ensuring continuity and succession planning.

9. Boosts Company Reputation

Supporting apprenticeships demonstrates a commitment to investing in the next generation of workers, which can enhance a company’s reputation as a socially responsible and progressive employer.

10. Increased Employee Morale

Experienced employees often feel valued when asked to mentor apprentices, which boosts morale and creates a positive learning environment within the company.

Overall, apprenticeships provide an affordable way to develop skilled talent while contributing to growth and innovation. For more information about how Apprenticeships with Channel Training can support your business, please email training@channelgroup.co.uk or call 01643 800272.