In the run up to National Apprenticeship Week, which will see hundreds of special events taking place throughout England between the 14th and 18th of March, we have put together an article highlighting the benefits of taking on an apprentice and how it will help your business.
There are many benefits as an employer to taking on an apprentice but unfortunately these benefits are often overlooked as apprenticeships are still a misunderstood phenomenon, with many employers not fully understanding how an apprenticeship works and how it can benefit their business. Apprenticeships have evolved a lot in the last 10 years with fantastic government funding opportunities and full support available from the providers and colleges - apprenticeships have never been better, for both employer and employee.
With that in mind we have put together a quick guide explaining the benefits of taking on an apprentice as an employer in the construction industry.
In a nutshell, employing apprentices and having fully trained staff can help your business grow and meet the demanding challenges ahead in the world of the ever-evolving construction industry.
As we all know there are many challenges for businesses in the construction industry including the rising levels of competition, shifting markets, technological and organisational change, and the unforgettable economic crisis. Businesses who are still going strong despite all of the above are businesses that have implemented strong strategic managements, anticipate change in the market by training or buying-in skills to suit the accreditation and qualified-obsessed general public. As a business owner you must channel your attention to becoming more customer focused and adapt to the changing markets and processes - training is in and winging it is out!
Of course, experience is still crucial in crafting the perfect construction worker but customers are now demanding more and more accreditation and training, meaning the route to successful workers should start with apprenticeship training rather than labouring. Young employees will still receive the all important on-site experience and invaluable knowledge from older peers but they will now have the theory to back it up and understand things better. Many modern qualifications and training courses are designed with the help of employers so an apprentice will develop the skills and knowledge needed in your workplace. No doubt your competitors will be jumping all over this and you should be too. Qualifications, training and accreditations are a huge selling-point when pitching to prospective customers as they give the customer peace of mind and assurance that you are the right company for the job, a company with the relevant training will always stand out against one without.
There are lots of other benefits of taking on an apprenticeship too:
- Employees feel more valued which leads to increased staff morale, loyalty, commitment and retention
- Developing new skills and knowledge in different technical and business areas will help when you tender for new work
- Skills shortages and gaps can be filled by existing apprentices and staff who you know and trust
- Improved health and safety and reduced absenteeism
- A better corporate image as an employer and be perceived as excellent in training and development by shareholders, potential employees and clients
- Improved team performance and employees can pass on skills and knowledge learned to colleagues
- Improved staff understanding and commitment to organisational culture and business drivers
- Employees are familiar with new legislation and can comply with regulations
- Employees are better able to use new technologies
- Achievement of quality standards
We find that many employers worry that if they go through all the relevant training with their apprentices that they might leave once training has finished, but we believe that it is much worse if you don't train them and they stay.
Top 5 Tips for Employers in the Construction Industry Considering an Apprentice
- Decide on which trade you will most value
Most companies don’t realise just how many different apprenticeships are available, firstly take a look at your internal structure and figure out if there are any skills that your business is short of or new skills that your business could benefit from. For example, there is an apprenticeship for kitchen-fitting so it is worthwhile taking a look, you may surprise yourself!
- Get help in finding your apprentice
There are a number of ways that you can find your new recruits, this can be from people you know, online job sites, social media or by advertising a vacancy through the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS). Young people are encouraged to use the NAS by schools and careers services.
- Create a shortlist before interviews
Have a think about what you want to learn from the interviews before the candidates arrive. What kind of person are you looking for? Would they be a good fit with how your firm works? Do they have the drive and energy you’re looking for? How much basic knowledge do they already have?
- Always have a trial shift before making a final decision
Once you have chosen a candidate that you are happy with, we suggest that you take them on for a two-week trial before making a final decision, this way you can get a real sense of how they work before you have to commit to their employment.
- Ask for help when sorting out an apprenticeship
Your apprentice can enrol in a local college or through an apprenticeship body, the college or apprenticeship provider will be able to help you get your apprentice sorted and will give you full support throughout the apprenticeship.
For more information on apprenticeships in the construction industry please visit GoConstruct.