Speaking from personal experience, we know the value that apprentices can bring to a business, and we have been very lucky to create a thriving programme for those at the start of their career looking to join our Northampton office. Based on this experience, below are the main ways I believe apprentices can help boost small businesses.While the approach caused some initial confusion, it helped to catapult this important topic back into the limelight. What the business community needs is some clarity around the issue.
1. People and processes
For SMEs who do have the opportunity to hire apprentices, it really does provide a great talent pool. At Opus Energy, we’ve found that hiring apprentices certainly helps with retention and productivity, with around 50% of our apprentices continuing their long-term career with us, and I’m sure many other businesses with apprenticeship programmes would agree. Bringing an apprentice into your workplace could also help to meet a skills or resource shortage. Hiring apprentices gives businesses options; either to train them for specific roles, or, like we do, give them a taster of multiple roles across the business, leading them to choose their preferred role at the end. We’ve found the end result is that they’re well-fitted to the job they eventually choose. In smaller businesses, this rotation may be seen as a luxury – however, giving younger talent a range of experience across the business will ultimately help them do their job better, as they’ll have the background knowledge which they can then apply at a later date. It also adds a new perspective to the business. Hiring new talent can help businesses to see things in a different light, providing new outlook on processes or procedures, which can reinvigorate a business. Even better, it may help you understand your customers better if your workforce is able to replicate and empathise with your target market.2. Reputation
There are also benefits in terms of social mobility and diversity according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), meaning smaller businesses really can stand out from their peers in terms of how they’re perceived.From a reputational point of view, being seen to take on local talent and help boost youth employment in the area can help to raise the profile of the business, while also contributing in a tangible way to the local economy.
3. Government support
The government provides support to small businesses (with a salary billing of less than £3m) by covering almost all the costs of apprentice training. Businesses that qualify pay for just 10% of these costs, while the government provides the remaining 90%, meaning small businesses can take the opportunity to invest in their future employees. This not only frees up P&L, but it gives small businesses the chance to really invest in apprentices. SMEs should use the cost savings to encourage close skill sharing and training, so new recruits soon become the lifeblood of the company.4. You’re hired
According to a report published by the CIPD, 66% of employers experienced improved staff morale, while 70% saw an improvement in their product or service offering by bringing in apprentices. For many, this is an opportunity too good to miss, and personally speaking, it is so rewarding investing in talent and seeing them grow into a fully-rounded employee. Nikki Flanders is chief operating officer of Opus Energy.Share this story