I
have recently started to follow a website which posts article relating to recruiting an apprentice and it was an article entitled 4 steps to take when
hiring an apprentice by Lucy Smeddle at ApprenticeEye on 25th July 2013 that took my eye… if you excuse the pun!
Lucy wrote:
You’ve decided to hire an apprentice but aren’t quite sure where
to start. Take a look at these tips on how to hit the ground running!
1) Ensure you
invest time choosing the right programme -Enrolling your apprentice on a scheme that allows them to gain
professional qualifications while they train on-the-job will benefit the
apprentice, who will learn skills, as well as your own business, which will
benefit from their training.
2) Make use
of the National Apprenticeship Service website - This website offers advice for employers, and also provides a
space where employers can advertise vacancies and contact potential candidates.
3) Integrate
the apprentice into the business and provide regular feedback - Due to their relative young age, often apprentices can tend to be
shy and slightly under-confident. Businesses should be encouraging and offer
regular updates on their progress. Giving an apprentice a mentor within the
business can also help foster lasting professional relationships.
4) Be
encouraging and motivating - We’re
sure we don’t need to mention this, but by becoming a positive force in a young
person’s life, you as an employer will build up their confidence whilst
equipping them with the skills needed for success. It’s a win-win situation for
all!
It
is the last two points of this article which I found particularly interesting
and the support that is required by both training providers and employer in the
first few months of the apprentice starting work.
At
The Apprentice Academy we have a team of Career Coaches who not only guide the apprentices
through the apprenticeship framework, but provide pastoral support to ensure where possible they are happy and successful. We aim to ensure that apprentices start to add
value to a business within the first eight work of starting with a company. For
more information about how an apprentice can add value to your business in the “magic
first eight weeks” click on the video below
In
recognition of the hard work that apprentices contribute, employers and Career
Coaches at The Apprentice Academy nominate apprentices for two awards; “Apprentice of The Month” and “Outstanding Achievement Award.” A recent winner of the
former award is Iona at Become UK and her employer
outline in the video below how she has added value at Become UK and developed
skills within the business.
For
more information about how your business can add value and free up time
for staff by taking on an apprentice today, call The Apprentice Academy on 0161 200 1673
