Why recruit an apprentice?
Posted on 7th January 2025 at 09:01
Apprenticeships are much more than completing a standard or achieving a qualification. They are an excellent way of gaining workplace experience, understanding how a business works, improving personal and social skills and starting or progressing in a career in a chosen field.
Changes to the rules in recent years mean that apprenticeships are now open to anyone who is eligible to work in the UK and who has not already completed the training or qualifications they need to effectively carry out their role or a new role. An apprenticeship must contain significant new learning.
Offering apprenticeships or hiring new apprentices is a productive and effective way for businesses to grow their own talent by developing a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce. Apprenticeships increase business productivity, which leads to increased profits, lower prices, achievement, improved confidence and new soft skills such as time management and self-awareness.
The top reasons to recruit an apprentice are:
• There are no National Insurance contributions to be paid for apprentices under 25 from April 2025
• Expert training in the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed for the role
• Mentoring and pastoral support from your training provider
• Shows your commitment to the learner for a set period of time
• Improved communication skills through working with a range of people
• Knowledge gained in training sessions and through End Point Assessment preparation can be brought back to the workplace and shared with others
• Improved productivity through motivation and personal development
• Develop skills relevant to your organisation whilst bridging the skills gap
• Improve the quality of your product or service
• Develop careers across core parts of the business
• Opportunities for staff to supervise and mentor
• Apprentice incentives – check https://www.gov.uk/employing-an-apprentice/get-funding
What are the employer responsibilities?
By employing an apprentice, employers have certain requirements to meet.
• Employers must give their apprentice an induction into their role and provide on-the-job training.
• Employers are responsible for paying their apprentice’s wages and issuing their contract of employment.
• There must be an Apprenticeship Agreement between the employer, apprentice and training provider.
• A new or young apprentice must receive at least the Apprenticeship National Minimum Wage. Many businesses pay more, and we always recommend that you pay them your normal rate for the job.
• The minimum hours of employment for an apprentice should normally be at least 30 hours per week.
• All apprentices must receive the same benefits as other employees.
• Anyone undertaking an apprenticeship must be given time during their paid working hours to dedicate to off the job training at their usual place of work, or offsite. All apprentices must receive a minimum of 6 hours per week for those working 30 hours (equivalent of 20%).
By offering an apprenticeship you can ensure that the skills developed are matched to your company’s current and future needs. This will help fill any skills gaps and allow your business to source future managers and leaders from within, so you don’t have to worry.
• 92% of companies that have taken on apprentices believe this leads to a more motivated and satisfied workforce
• 86% said apprenticeships helped them develop skills relevant to their organisation
• 80% have seen a significant increase in employee retention
Source: https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/employers/understanding-apprenticeship-benefits-and-funding
An apprentice can help support your business needs, whether it be in Business Administration, Events or Fundraising. Fareport can support employers and their apprentices and unlike other providers, we work on a roll on, roll off basis therefore you do not need to wait until September to begin your search for an apprentice, you can start now. For more information on how an apprentice can help you, please contact us on 01329 825805 or email us at businessdevelopment@fareport.co.uk
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Contact us to find out more about the apprenticeships available to you.
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