An apprentice???

[gibby]

We have been apprached by a training firm to take on an apprentice.
It sounded like a great idea and then when we asked around we heard of so many problems with these schemes.

Is there anyone here who has had a good experience?

thanks

G

 

[B&H Digital]

Certainly! We have 2 apprentices on board, one a Warehouse apprentice (who, by the end of her course, will hold a forklift license too!) and a Business & Admin apprentice (who gets involved with sales etc). Both are really keen, hard-working people. We've also had a couple in the past who done well too.

One of our apprentices also does a lot with the official Apprenticeship scheme, they're a young ambassador, and they run an online apprenticeship forum.

We may have been given the best of the lot, but I really do believe as long as you choose someone who appears to be enthusiastic, exciting and willing to take on boring jobs some days, you'll get a good apprentice.

Good luck

 

[Deleted member 130603]

Just insist on a long trial period, and state clearly in the application form that you will be carrying out drug tests on successful applicants. That should weed out the stone heads ;-) and provide you with a safety net should they perform poorly during their first 3-6 months.

 

[Panaramix]

Hi

We have two apprentices - or we had to via a company called WS Training in Suffolk.

Their screening service is great and we took both apprentices on about 2 years ago and they are valuable members of staff.

Apart from a few hours a month to spend with their assessor there was no downside to having apprentices at all.

highly recommend it

Chris

 

[Tom1uk]

I have one apprentice at the moment, and am now looking to take on another. During the interviews I have come across alot of bad apples who really dont want to work, but there has also been one or two that have really impressed me. I find they are often shy in interview but they usually respond better when you start with questions about them instead of experience and qualifications.

I think the apprenticeship scheme is well worth any company's time.

 

[maxine]

I've had two that have completed their apprenticeshire (one plumbing and one business admin) and am now about to take on another three (2 business admin and another plumbing) and have had a few ups and downs along the way but overall a very positive experience. My tips/lessons learned if it helps:

• Research options for the training provider. Local college might not be best option compared with private training organisations depending on whats important to you ie; start at any time versus September term start. Work based learning versus time at college etc.
• Read through paperwork properly so as to not get caught out with any "clawbacks" as I had proposed to me by one provider.
• Decide if you want full time or part time. The minimum hours recommended is 30 hours and last time I checked NAS won't advertise an apprenticeship role if it's less than 30 hours. I've gone with 30 hours which includes the hours for college/learning as can always offer an extra day where required.
• Don't expect the apprenticeship to deliver fully in terms of training for a non-apprenticeship role. Make sure you complement it with your own training if you plan to take them on properly at the end of the apprenticeship. Otherwise they may whizz through the program but not end up with the skills you want to offer a different job at the end.
• Go through a thorough recruitment process rather than just take the first person that comes your way to ensure a good fit with your business.

Good luck and there's a Wage Incentive scheme around at the moment where you get refunded 10 or 12 weeks apprentice pay after that time (£750) and then another £750 if and when they complete.

 

[Jet Virtual]

Apprentices could be great if you find the right candidate.
Save money and help someone with work experience = win-win

 

[10032012]

Hate to stick a dampener on things but most of these so-called training firms are scum with a well-planned scam.

I know of a case where one rather large (no-names) training firm went into liquidation rather recently, left the employers taking on the apprentices high-and-dry by zero communication. One woman had difficulties getting information from Government bodies too... not knowing whether she can continue with the apprentice on reduced wages or requires to pay the NMW.

The trouble is most these training firms are out to milk money from the education and skills budget in a similar way many private firms milk the money from the NHS. I am unable to name you any decent ones, and it extends from private sector to the charitable sector!!

Do some due diligence on the training firm before you go ahead... nothing major just a google for the business name, and business name + complaints... and if a limited company, you might want to check out some of the information available through Companies House.

 

[tompeters]

Having worked for a training company offering Apprenticeship in the past hopefully I can help. I would always ask to interview the candidate yourself. Some training companies find out about the job you have available and say they will go away and find someone suitable. Well their suitable might not be your suitable!!

There are many good candidates out there who are just looking for a break and will work for the apprenticeship wage with the hope that they can get into a good company. I have seen it work really well for some business and not so well for others. As with all employees some stay and put in 100% and others do not. It's the luck of the draw, but if you are involved in the beginning as much as possible rather than leaving the training company to deal with it all, it will be beneficial!