There are many benefits to employing apprentices, with the government offering incentives and the ESFA providing detailed guidance on how to do so, it’s also becoming easier too!
Gone are days of struggling to find an apprentice, say hello to discovering the benefits of employing apprentices with ease. Many businesses and large organisations have identified this and are choosing to upskill their teams via the apprenticeship route.
Here are 3 key benefits of employing apprentices:
Raise Staff Morale
Apprentices tend to be eager to learn, motivated and not afraid to try new ideas. To support their growth, apprenticeships also give staff opportunities to supervise and mentor people – opportunities that they previously may not have had.
Improve Employee Retention
As well as helping you to gain the right kind of skills you need for your business, employing an apprentice can also improve staff retention, providing you with skilled staff for the future. In a recent survey, 74% of companies surveyed said that apprentices tended to be more loyal, than non-apprentices.
Upskill Existing Talent
Whether you’re upskilling your existing talent or employing a new apprentice, through an apprenticeship programme your team will be able to learn new skills and share knowledge with each other. There’s no upper age limit for apprentices so event employed apprentices can enrol onto an apprenticeship course.
According to the National Apprenticeship Service, around 96% of employers surveyed had experienced at least one benefit from employing an apprentice.
The survey also revealed:
- 74% of employers said apprentices had improved their product
- 78% of employers said apprentices had actually improved productivity
- 85% of employers said apprentices had helped to develop skills for their organisation
- 67% of employers said that employing apprentices had improved retention of staff
- 65% of apprentices stay in companies way beyond completing their training
- 73% of employers said employing apprentices had boosted staff morale.
Government research also shows that apprentices have increased future earning potential across the course of their careers. This means that, if they progress on to an advanced apprenticeship and successfully complete it, they could earn around £117,000 more over their lifetime than those who don’t.
According to the British Chambers of Commerce, most employ an apprentice to improve the skills base within their business. They also state that:
- 82% of employers take on apprentices to build the skills capacity within their businesses.
- 75% of apprentice employers say the programme has helped cut recruitment costs. 80% say that apprenticeships will play a bigger part in their future recruitment policy.
- 88% of apprentice employers believe they lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce, leading to greater loyalty and quality.
- 81% of consumers favour companies that employ apprentices.
- 80% of employers feel that apprenticeships reduce staff turnover.
- 81% of apprentice employers say they make their businesses more productive. The average apprenticeship completer increases business productivity by £214 per week.
If you’re reading this thinking that an apprenticeship could be for you or your business we’d love to have a chat. Hit the links below or give us a bell.
To find out more, head over to our apprenticeships page, download our courses guide or get in touch!
