To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2021, from Monday 8 to Sunday 14 February 2021, South Gloucestershire and Stroud College shares 7 reasons why businesses should consider hiring apprentices and trainees now.
Whether your business goals for 2021 include cutting costs due to economic uncertainties or striving forward with ambitious expansion plans, apprentices can play an integral role in meeting your organisation’s objectives.
1. Apprentices can revitalise a company
A fresh approach and positive attitude from apprentices can be reinvigorating in a workplace, which in turn can impact existing employee morale and enthusiasm.
Apprenticeships attract people from a variety of different backgrounds, adding diversity and contributing new ideas to a workforce.
2. Apprentices add value to businesses
Apprentices can be a productive and effective way to grow talent and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.
Research by the Centre for Economics and Business Research found that apprentices each bring a gain of productivity of over £10,000 a year for a business.
3. There are employer incentives for hiring apprentices
Whilst employers cover the employment costs for their apprentices, there is funding available to support apprenticeship training costs.
Plus, there are employer incentives on offer to encourage businesses to take up apprentices.
4. Apprentices can save recruitment costs
Recruiting new staff members can be costly and time-consuming for businesses, with apprenticeships offering one way to reduce these costs.
SGS recruits more than 600 apprentices every year for employers after undertaking an in-depth process to ensure that the most suitable candidates are shortlisted before the employer then makes the final decision. And with 90 per cent retention, this out-performs most paid-for recruitment services.
5. Apprenticeships upskill your workforce
Not only does hiring apprentices help to save costs when it comes to recruitment, it can also save costs when it comes to developing staff skills and career progression – filling any skill gaps and securing future leaders for your business.
An important long-term benefit for companies is that not only are employees upskilled, but that those improved and developed skills are relevant to your business. This investment into apprentices can also increase staff loyalty and retention.
6. There is an apprenticeship to suit your business
When it comes to hiring an apprentice or trainee, there are a whole host of areas that are covered, including digital marketing, construction, business, IT and more.
SGS offers such a range wide range of apprenticeships that most employment sectors are covered.
7. Apprenticeships offer flexibility
Apprenticeships can have flexible start dates and durations and can also feature blended delivery models depending on the business, as well as offering access to all content online.
This is the case at SGS, which also offers traineeships similar to apprenticeships and are available to those aged 16 to 24 years old.
Plus, they can offer a flexible staffing solutions during economic uncertainties and also provide opportunities for young people who have limited options — for example, during the pandemic.
