At Damar Training, we believe that apprenticeships are a highly effective recruitment solution for organisations of all sizes and are a great way to build a skilled and dedicated workforce. In this blog post, we’ll explore the many benefits of hiring an apprentice, from boosting productivity to increasing brand loyalty.
Why apprenticeships are good for business: 10 benefits
Damar Training support hundreds of employers with our range of business and professional apprenticeships, which include programmes in administration, customer service, law, management, data protection, and accounting. And every day, our employer partners tell us about the benefits that hiring an apprentice has brought to their organisation.
Discover more about the top benefits of hiring an apprentice below:
- Enhanced productivity
Apprenticeships have consistently been shown to enhance productivity in the workplace across both public and private sector organisations. In government research, 78% of companies reported an increase in productivity through apprenticeship training.
Hiring an apprentice is an effective way to reduce skills shortages within your teams. By addressing and filling these skills gaps, teams can perform at their best. Through the apprentice’s fresh perspectives, there is also the opportunity to streamline processes and improve efficiencies. In addition, apprentices in areas such as business admin and customer service can take on routine tasks, freeing up the time of senior managers to focus on more complex, strategic activity.
- Improved employee retention
As you’re investing in their future, apprentices are more committed to your organisation from the start. The opportunities they are being provided, in terms of career development, mentoring and qualifications, create a strong emotional tie and mean that they are more likely to stay with your organisation long-term. Research by the ISE has shown that apprentice retention at three years is significantly higher than that of those who were recruited onto graduate programmes.
This effect on retention is not just specific to the apprentice. Investing in your teams shows all employees that they are valued by your organisation.
Nicki Collins, Practice Manager at Cramp & Mullaney, told us:
“Our solicitor apprenticeship programme has significantly boosted productivity and created more opportunities for our staff. It has established clear progression paths for those aiming to qualify, which we hope will reduce turnover and encourage long-term commitment to the firm, supporting our organic growth.”
- New ideas and fresh perspectives
An apprentice can also give your business access to fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. Apprentices typically come from more diverse backgrounds and are less likely to be entrenched in conventional ways of working. Their curiosity and eagerness to learn enable them to ask questions and challenge existing work practices that can transform systems and processes and increase productivity.
Samantha Nelmes, Director at LilyIris Accounting, told us:
“Our accounting apprentices add value to our team by looking at tasks and seeing if there are more efficient ways to do something. They challenge the processes we have and the way we work.”
- Increased diversity
Hiring an apprentice is a fantastic way to increase the diversity of your workforce. They give you access to a wider talent pool, including those from different socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds, as well as those who have followed different education pathways. Apprenticeships, therefore, can be a key driver within your equality and diversity or social mobility organisational objectives and, as noted above, can drive improved productivity through new ideas and innovations.
- Boosted staff morale
An apprenticeship programme can have a positive impact on the entire team and organisation. Existing employees can feel a great sense of satisfaction and pride in mentoring new people, giving them a renewed sense of purpose in their role. And the sheer enthusiasm and energy of apprentices is often infectious! In Damar’s supervisor survey, watching apprentices develop and grow was cited as the main benefit that apprentices bring to organisations.
Tracey Wilson, Operations Director at Blue Cube Corporate Travel Management, said:
“Apprenticeships contribute to a dynamic and inclusive workplace culture. The integration of enthusiastic, motivated apprentices energises the team, promoting a collaborative and supportive environment that benefits all employees.”
- Cost-effectiveness
Hiring an apprentice is also a cost-effective solution. For SMEs, apprenticeship training is 95-100% funded by the government, and larger organisations are able to fund the training through their apprenticeship levy pot. In addition, there are typically fewer costs involved in apprenticeship recruitment (many providers, like Damar, offer a free recruitment service), and employers do not have to make NI contributions for apprentices aged under 25. Find out more about funding and incentives.
- Alignment with culture and values
When hiring an apprentice, you can mould them to meet the needs of your organisation. They won’t have ingrained habits and will be able to develop ways of working and values that align with your business. This alignment leads to greater collaboration and cohesion, as well as increased consistency and better customer service. Many of Damar’s apprentices have also gone on to become brand ambassadors for the organisations they work for.
- Securing your organisation’s future
Apprenticeships are an effective tool for preparing for future skills gaps and succession planning as your workforce ages and new technologies emerge. Taking on apprentices who will be more likely to stay with your organisation long-term means that you can develop core teams with an understanding of your industry and values, but also with the ability to adapt and develop over time, giving you the competitive advantage over other companies.
To ensure your apprentice feels secure in their future at your organisation, you could consider setting them up with a progression plan.
- Increased brand loyalty & reputation
Hiring an apprentice doesn’t just have internal benefits. It can also significantly boost your reputation! By investing in the next generation of talent, you’re showing customers and prospective employers that you are committed to your staff and community.
You should also make sure that you celebrate your apprentice’s success by putting them forward for awards or submitting their story to your local media. This can be a great tool to get press coverage and show that you are a brand and employer of choice.
Jane Cordner, Head of HR and Operations at Blanchards Bailey LLP, said:
“Our apprenticeships have ultimately led us, as a business, to build a strong reputation for investing in our staff and allowed us to attract and retain good quality staff in a competitive recruitment market.”
- A good return on investment
And finally, while we have already touched on cost-effectiveness, it is worth highlighting the significant financial return you get from an apprentice. With limited costs and the potential to positively impact productivity, efficiencies, collaboration, innovation, customer service, morale and retention, apprenticeships are a great solution for organisations looking to grow, adapt and thrive.
Transform your organisation with the help of Damar
We hope that this information about the benefits of hiring an apprentice has been useful.
Here at Damar, we’re passionate about apprenticeship and have been for 45 years. If you’re interested in talking to us more about the benefits that hiring an apprentice could bring to your organisation, please get in touch.