We are celebrating National Apprenticeships Week 2021 and you should be too! This annual, week-long celebration of apprenticeships aims to shine a light on the outstanding work being produced by employers and apprentices all over the country. During this week, we also recognise how employers of businesses of all sizes have stepped up to the challenges of the last year.
Employers are being encouraged to showcase the amazing work of their apprentices while highlighting the many benefits apprenticeships bring to their business in order to inspire other business owners to follow them and take the plunge into the apprenticeship community.
The theme for 2021 is “Build the Future” motivating employers to firstly, consider how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required to build a rewarding career. Secondly how they can build a workforce with future ready skills.
We’ve comprised a list of our favourite reasons why your business could benefit from the addition of apprentices.
Skilled workers for the future
Apprenticeship training allows employees to improve their skills and develop these to match the future needs of the company. This can help to fill any skill gaps and allow a business to source future managers from within.
Increased staff loyalty and retention
Employees who have been trained in-house are more likely to be highly motivated and committed to the company, seeing its business objectives come to fruition. Apprenticeships encourage employees to view their jobs as careers and therefore are more likely to remain with the company for longer, reducing recruitment costs significantly. Offering an apprenticeship to an existing member of staff shows that they are valued and an integral part of the work force.
Increased company bottom line
A major benefit of employing an apprentice is that companies who do so receive funding for every apprentice they take on meaning less money would need to be spent on recruiting new staff. This has a positive effect on a company’s finances making it more competitive.
Existing staff time can be freed up
As a business grows. It is often the case that employees feel bogged down with minor tasks when they should be concentrating on important areas of their work. If these basic jobs are allocated to an apprentice, this allows them to learn and take responsibility while higher skilled staff feel are freed up, making your business more productive.
A revitalised and enthusiastic staff and company
By embarking on an apprenticeship, employees are showing their enthusiasm and willingness to learn. They often bring a fresh approach and positive attitude into your workplace which will inevitably rub off on other employees as well as the addition of a different perspective for creative decisions which could lead to new and innovative ways of working.
More than this however, the addition of an apprentice can give other staff the opportunity to mentor and nurture someone who is less experienced. The development of interpersonal skills is just as important as the development of functional skills.
What next?
Celebrations, like with many other special days, will be different this year, however there is still lots to get involved with this week such as #AskAnApprentice, #AskAnEmployer, Thank You Thursday and I <3 Apprenticeships to name a few.
For any more information about National Apprenticeships Week 2021 please visit the government page
Or you could head over to the NAW website
For any more information about how Apprenticeships can benefit your business please contact kate@applehr.co.uk.