It’s National Apprentice Week (6-12th February), an annual, week-long celebration of apprenticeships across England. What better time to look at the benefits of hiring an apprentice as a small business owner?
We’ve seen various discussions about hiring apprentices among our UKBF community. But opinion seems divided - or at least it looks that way, depending on what stage you’re at as a business. For example, have you just started out and are thinking of hiring an apprentice? Or are you more established and want to add a trainee to your workforce?
Some members are more cautious than others, including moderator Newchodge, who warned a community member thinking of hiring an apprentice for their new business. In this thread, they advised Bilal Attique that: “An apprentice can be a very good long-term investment, but they are rarely the answer to an employer's immediate need for labour.”
Whilst some members felt that hiring trainees may not be such a smart move - particularly when just starting out - others such as Mark T Jones enthused that, “you can end up with great, loyal staff… (one of our apprentices went on to be a senior underwriter for a major bank).”
In another discussion forum, regular poster and moderator Paul Kelly ICHYB spoke up about apprentices being a good choice for small businesses:
“Have you thought about bringing trainees or apprentices in to help? Not only can this be rewarding (helping others), but it can also take some pressure off (if you have some!), generate some relatively passive income and help others on their journey to running their own business!”
Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits for small business owners.
The Apprentice Panel Survey Report found that 92% of respondents felt the employer-defined knowledge, skills and behaviours learnt during their apprenticeship would equip them to succeed in the future. A further 80% said they felt empowered to have successful careers in their industry which is great news for SMEs! You can read the report in more detail here.
This means that you can tailor your search and find a provider and apprenticeship standard based on your business needs. This will also make it far easier to train and shape them to fit in with your business.
Not sure if your business is eligible to hire apprentices? Take a look at the wide and varied apprentice standards on offer - there are over 550 to choose from!
Need more information on how to find and hire an apprentice? The following links offer a myriad of advice and guidance on what to do next:
We’ve seen various discussions about hiring apprentices among our UKBF community. But opinion seems divided - or at least it looks that way, depending on what stage you’re at as a business. For example, have you just started out and are thinking of hiring an apprentice? Or are you more established and want to add a trainee to your workforce?
Some members are more cautious than others, including moderator Newchodge, who warned a community member thinking of hiring an apprentice for their new business. In this thread, they advised Bilal Attique that: “An apprentice can be a very good long-term investment, but they are rarely the answer to an employer's immediate need for labour.”
Whilst some members felt that hiring trainees may not be such a smart move - particularly when just starting out - others such as Mark T Jones enthused that, “you can end up with great, loyal staff… (one of our apprentices went on to be a senior underwriter for a major bank).”
In another discussion forum, regular poster and moderator Paul Kelly ICHYB spoke up about apprentices being a good choice for small businesses:
“Have you thought about bringing trainees or apprentices in to help? Not only can this be rewarding (helping others), but it can also take some pressure off (if you have some!), generate some relatively passive income and help others on their journey to running their own business!”
Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits for small business owners.
Apprentices are happier with SMEs
If you’re a small to medium-sized business (SME) thinking of hiring an apprentice, you’ll be heartened to discover that a recent report - setting out the learning and assessment experiences of more than 2,000 apprentices - delivered some positive results.The Apprentice Panel Survey Report found that 92% of respondents felt the employer-defined knowledge, skills and behaviours learnt during their apprenticeship would equip them to succeed in the future. A further 80% said they felt empowered to have successful careers in their industry which is great news for SMEs! You can read the report in more detail here.
The cost-saving factor
One of the biggest reasons a small business may look to hire an apprentice is the cost saving available, most notably that:- Most apprenticeship training costs are fully or partially funded by the government
- The apprentice rate is lower than other rates (in the first year)
- As an employer, you can get a £1,000 payment if your trainee is between 16 and 18 years old (or between 19 and 24 years old and has an Education, Health and Care plan)
Apprentices for all kinds of businesses
Gone are the days when apprenticeships were limited to certain trade jobs. As UKBF member Natasha Overton pointed out in this thread, “apprentices also don't have to be trade work, there are so many different types of apprenticeships from business administration to digital marketing and healthcare support workers!”This means that you can tailor your search and find a provider and apprenticeship standard based on your business needs. This will also make it far easier to train and shape them to fit in with your business.
Not sure if your business is eligible to hire apprentices? Take a look at the wide and varied apprentice standards on offer - there are over 550 to choose from!
Need more information on how to find and hire an apprentice? The following links offer a myriad of advice and guidance on what to do next:
- Find an apprentice
- Employer hub for apprenticeships
- Government website: Apprenticeships: detailed information
