How Apprenticeships Can Be A Game Changer For Organisations.
As National Apprenticeship Week comes to an end we wanted to highlight the numerous advantages that apprenticeships bring to businesses and individuals alike. Here are compelling reasons why hiring an apprentice can be a game changer for your organisation:
- Productivity Boost: Apprenticeships inject fresh energy into your workforce, fostering a culture of innovation and productivity.
- Diverse Perspectives: Apprenticeships bring in a diverse pool of talent, enriching your team with fresh perspectives, ideas, and skills.
- Skill Development: By investing in apprenticeships, businesses can tailor training programs to meet specific skill requirements, ensuring a highly skilled and adaptable workforce.
- Cost-Effective Recruitment: Hiring apprentices can be a cost-effective recruitment strategy, allowing businesses to mould and develop talent internally.
- Loyalty and Retention: Apprentices tend to be loyal and committed to their employers, fostering a positive work environment and reducing turnover rates.
- Contribution to the Economy: By supporting apprenticeships, businesses play a vital role in shaping the future workforce and contributing to the economic growth of the nation.
There have been some fantastic examples of the invaluable impact apprenticeships have on businesses, individuals, and the economy. Embracing apprenticeships isn’t just about investing in talent; it’s about investing in the future success of our organisations and society as a whole.
When taking on an apprentice, it is important to remember that they have slightly different needs to other employees – particularly when it comes to their contract of employment. Their contract must include the following:
- Details of the apprenticeship – the skill or trade they’re learning, the apprenticeship standard, level or framework that they’re working towards.
- Dates of the apprenticeship – start date and estimated end date.
- Details of any off the job training they will receive – how often they will be in college, confirmation that they will continue to be paid during this time.
We would also recommend including:
- Whether the contract is permanent or limited to a fixed term (i.e. the duration of the apprenticeship) and what happens at the end of the apprenticeship.
- Rules on reporting absences – whether absent from work or college.
- A requirement for them to attend all off the job training and make all reasonable efforts to pass any assessments.
If you comply with the above points, you will not only be complying with best practice for apprentices but also ensuring that you’re able to manage your apprentice in the same way as you might any other employee – including when it comes to disciplinary action should that become necessary.
If you would like further guidance and assistance then why not get in touch with one of New Dawn’s Business Partners.