How to Retain your Apprentices

Seems simple, doesn’t it? 

But there are many reasons why some apprentices leave their programme early, fail to complete it or leave their employment after achieving their qualification. 

Retaining an apprentice is the same as retaining any other employee. There needs to be a balance of support, structured attainable development and a positive work environment. 

After working with thousands of apprentices, we know that a strong partnership between the training provider and the line manager can make the difference between success and failure. 

As their Line Manager, how can you support them at each stage? 

When your team can see a clear pathway for their job role and career progression, this builds trust and reinforces a two-way commitment. You can set learning goals and responsibilities, while utilising regular milestones to help your apprentice become more focused and determined. 

You should make sure that you are offering additional support to your employee outside their training. Encouraging them to learn new tasks or skills builds their confidence in their job role. As they learn and develop new skills, you’re showing them what’s possible within your business and how they can contribute to its success. 

While an apprentice or new employee will be learning the ropes of their role, the best thing to do is let them get involved in the tasks that lead to real outcomes. Any completed work should be met with appreciation. 

Apprentices may lack confidence in their field. This is where recognition builds engagement, and encouragement reinforces confidence in your team. Highlighting their growth will build morale within the team. 

• Listen actively 
• Ask open-ended questions 
• Offer constructive feedback 
• Remain calm and approachable 

By doing these things, you can nurture a proper working environment where you can keep your team from looking for the door. Instead, you will have a long-term confident workforce who aspire to become industry professional within your company. 

Before the programme begins, we do everything we can to set the apprentice up for success. Our briefing and induction process supports everyone involved to get the most from the Apprenticeship. The goal is to ensure the right people are on the right programme, being challenged, supported, and bringing value back to the workplace. 

During the programme, we hold regular three-way reviews to track progress, gather feedback, and make any necessary adjustments.  

Remember, this isn’t about giving all the answers. It’s about guiding your apprentice to find solutions themselves. 

Contact us today if you are ready to evolve your current staff into a structured workforce.