Apprenticeships offer a fantastic route into the workplace, blending hands-on experience with formal training to build skills and confidence. For this edition of our Ask the Expert series, we caught up with Rennie who shares his journey, how his role has evolved since completing his apprenticeship with us, and why he believes employers should embrace apprenticeship programmes. We also explore the benefits of an apprenticeship. Read on to discover Rennie’s thoughts and advice!
Why did you choose to go down the apprenticeship route?
I felt this was a good option for me as it provided a shorter jump from education into full-time working. My only post-university experience before joining The HR Booth was a six-month internship.
An apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to continue learning, but importantly, to do so within a live and professional working environment.
What do you think the benefits are of choosing an apprenticeship over other higher education routes?
The key benefit here is that you have real-life experience. When I was job searching after university, I saw first-hand how competitive the job market is. In almost all situations, I would lose out to someone who had slightly more experience than me.
By going down the apprenticeship route, you avoid this situation as you gain hands-on experience from day one and are often ahead in terms of practical knowledge and ability.
Being completely honest, if I could go back, I would choose not to go down the university route again. Instead, focusing on gaining real-life experience in a workplace.
Can you share any specific examples of how your apprenticeship has helped you in your day-to-day work over the past year?
One good example would be having the opportunity to shadow my full-time colleagues. This enabled me to pick up good habits and watch how they work in a professional setting.
How important was having real workplace experience alongside your learning?
I think this benefit is completely understated. The more common route of school > university > work involves big jumps between each stage, not just in terms of the standard and level of work required, but also the working environment. I am very fortunate to have walked into a welcoming workplace environment. However, being in an office is naturally very different to being in a classroom. This can take time to adapt. By completing my apprenticeship, I was able to observe how an office environment worked, learn from others, advance my knowledge and also get real-life job experience.
What advice would you give to employers considering apprenticeships within their organisation?
There are several ways apprenticeships add value from an employer’s point of view, I’ll name a few from my experience:
- When an employer invests time and trust in someone at an early stage of their career, it creates a strong sense of commitment and motivation. Being given the opportunity to learn and develop within the business encourages apprentices to grow alongside the organisation.
- Supporting the younger generation is also crucial. Young people are the future of business, it is important that businesses are providing a platform for young people to grow, learn, and develop.
- Apprenticeships allow employers to shape the skills and behaviours in line with the business. By doing this, employees understand the culture and direction of the business.
Looking back now, what part of the apprenticeship has had the biggest long-term impact on your work?
Being trusted with the real responsibility and being provided the space to learn and develop on my own. My confidence grew slowly to the point where I now actively push myself out of my comfort zone.
By the time I had completed my apprenticeship, I was ready to start full-time and was a more developed person than when I had originally started.
What advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship based on your experience?
Go for it. From my experience, I learned more in my nine-month apprenticeship than I did in four years at university. This isn’t to say that going to university is wrong, it’s a valid pathway that works for a lot of people, but the apprenticeship pathway can work just as well, if not better, yet probably isn’t spoken about as much.
The Benefits of an Apprenticeship for Employers
Apprenticeships are a fantastic opportunity for employers to build a skilled and motivated workforce tailored to their business needs. By offering apprenticeships, organisations can enjoy a range of benefits that contribute to long-term growth and success.
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Customised Training: Apprenticeships allow employers to develop bespoke training programmes aligned with their specific requirements. This ensures apprentices gain the exact skills and knowledge needed to excel in their roles and support the business effectively.
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Cost-Effective Talent Development: Recruiting and training new employees can be expensive, but apprenticeships provide a cost-efficient solution. Government funding and incentives are often available to support apprenticeship schemes, reducing the financial burden on employers.
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Improved Productivity: This is one of the key benefits of an apprenticeship as Apprentices bring fresh perspectives and enthusiasm to the workplace. By combining practical training with classroom learning, apprentices quickly develop the ability to contribute positively to the organisation’s productivity and performance.
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Retention and Loyalty: Investing in apprenticeships demonstrates a commitment to employee development, fostering loyalty and engagement. Apprentices are more likely to remain with the organisation after completing their training, reducing turnover and recruitment costs.
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Bridging Skills Gaps: Many industries face skills shortages, and apprenticeships offer a practical solution by equipping individuals with the capabilities required to fill critical gaps. Employers can future-proof their workforce by cultivating talent in-house.
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Fresh Ideas and Innovation: Apprentices often bring new perspectives and up-to-date knowledge gained through their education. These benefits of an apprenticeship can encourage innovation and help employers stay ahead in a competitive market.
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Strengthening Employer Branding: Offering apprenticeships enhances your reputation as an employer that values training and development. This can attract top talent and improve your standing in the local community and industry.
By embracing apprenticeships, employers can not only nurture future talent but also gain a competitive edge in their sector. It is an investment in both people and business success.
How The HR Booth Can Help
At The HR Booth, we understand that even though the benefits of an apprenticeship are clear, navigating the process of hiring apprentices can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to support employers every step of the way, ensuring you can attract the right talent and create a successful apprenticeship programme tailored to your business needs.
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Identifying Business Needs: We’ll work with you to identify the skills and roles your business needs, helping you determine how an apprenticeship can address these gaps and contribute to your organisation’s goals.
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Guidance on Funding and Incentives: Understanding apprenticeship funding can be complex, but we’ll simplify it for you. We’ll help you explore available funding options, including government grants and incentives, to maximise your investment.
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Creating Job Adverts: We’ll assist in developing a clear and appealing job advert that outlines the key responsibilities and skills required for your apprentice, ensuring you attract the right candidates.
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Recruitment Support: Our team can manage or support the recruitment process, from advertising the apprenticeship vacancy to screening candidates and conducting interviews. We’ll help you find enthusiastic, motivated individuals who align with your company values.
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Ongoing HR Support: Once your apprentice is hired, we can provide ongoing HR support, from creating tailored apprenticeship contracts to advising on performance management and progression planning.
By partnering with us, you’ll have expert guidance throughout the apprenticeship process, giving you the confidence to find and nurture new talent. The benefits of an apprenticeship are clear. Together, we can help you build a skilled workforce while making apprenticeships a valuable asset to your business. Contact our HR Consultants for further support.
