Firms are increasingly turning to apprenticeship schemes to give their businesses a boost. However, while there are many advantages to an apprenticeship, there are also some pitfalls that must be avoided. Here are some dos and don’ts to help you along your way.
- Do invest in the apprentice’s training. It may be expensive up front, but in the long term this will benefit both the apprentice and the firm.
- Don’t hire a whole army of apprentices at once. This will be harder to manage and less valuable long term. Think quality, not quantity.
- Don’t throw them in the deep end. Provide them with a mentor so that they can report on how they’re getting on. Hold regular meetings to discuss how they’re coping with their role.
- Don’t turn a blind eye to current employees. Apprenticeships usually go to school leavers, but you can also use the scheme to train up pre-existing employees. This will also make your employees feel more valued and boost morale.
- Don’t view apprentices as cheap, short term labour. Apprenticeship schemes are long term programmes to develop your employees. They are part of the fabric of your firm, embrace it.
