#NAW2022 Why should your business hire an apprentice?

Whilst hundreds of local organisations are great advocates for apprenticeships in the county, there are still many great businesses in Gloucestershire who are yet to reap the rewards of running an apprenticeship programme.

Apprenticeship and Employer Statistics

The official statistics from the government’s National Apprenticeship Service provide a strong case for why a business may consider going down this route:

Hiring an apprentice is a productive and effective way to grow talent and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.

• 86% of employers said apprenticeships helped them develop skills relevant to their organisation
• 78% of employers said apprenticeships helped them improve productivity
• 74% of employers said apprenticeships helped them improve the quality of their product or service

Other benefits of working with apprentices include:

• you can adapt their training according to the needs of your business
• they’re motivated to learn new skills
• you can expand and upskill your workforce
• you get access to the latest skills and trends in your industry 

But with business owners and senior management teams constantly being exposed to reams of information, it can often be a simple conversation that sparks that interest instead.

As part of #NAW2023 we’ve re-visited some of the brilliant employers we work with to find out why they would recommend starting an apprenticeship programme to inspire your business to do the same.

Chris Allen, Operations Manager at HPR Services LTD

“Apprenticeships have been a great way for HPR to expand and upskill our current workforce. We can adapt their training according to the needs of our business which is constantly evolving and diversifying as our business continues to grow.” Read more here

Darcy Hibberd, People Partner for Talent Acquisition at Iress

“We have found that apprenticeships are a really great way to help us grow our own talent. They have given us another avenue to explore to find and grow talent in the local area.

“For us, apprenticeship recruitment is a really important part of our talent attraction strategy. It helps us get the exact skills, knowledge and behaviours we are looking for whilst helping us to grown our own workforce and make sure that they are just as invested in us as we are in them.

“We rotate our apprentices around different teams within the business. They get the benefit of working in different areas with different people and products, and we get the benefit of their knowledge and new way of thinking and working. It’s great to have that fresh perspective and a new set of eyes on different aspects of Iress.” Read more here

David Auker-Howlett, Apprentice Master at Bloor Homes

“Bloor homes has been running their current apprenticeship programme for six years now, which was put in place to ensure that there is a high standard of training for trades to construct homes. Apprenticeships are the way to go as they can energise the workforce by bringing in fresh ideas and a will to progress.” Read more here

Emily Stigant, ICT Manager at Dene Magna School - part of the Forest of Dean Trust

“As an organisation, we have always recruited a variety of apprentices and I was specifically involved recruiting our current marketing apprentice, Charlotte. The purpose was to help improve our online media presence, specifically in areas relating to social media and our websites. Apprenticeships develop those working with the apprentice in coaching, as well as the apprentice. They also bring a different perspective and an infusion of new ideas.” Read more here

Jon Wood, Operations Director at WestRock Tewkesbury

“As somebody that has experienced an apprenticeship at the start of my career, I have first-hand experience of how useful the process can be. The sacrifice a business makes to fund and nurture apprenticeship programmes is a small price for the reward of a well-schooled motivated individual that protects site retention levels and also promotes personal development.” Read more here

Julia Russell, Apprentice Lead at Renishaw

“We have taken apprentices for over 40 years, nearly as long as the company have been in existence! They are a key part of the company’s vision and culture. Fresh, new talent brings new ideas and skills, allowing us to remain innovative and relevant in the competitive world of engineering. We are passionate about developing people and recognise the benefits of doing so. I can’t imagine a Renishaw without apprentices.” Read more here

Recruit apprentices for your business

Awarded ‘Gloucestershire’s Apprenticeship Training Provider of the Year 2020 and 2021,’ Gloucestershire College is committed to delivering excellence for our apprentices and employers. Our Employer Training & Apprenticeships team will listen to your needs and requirements and advise on the right training programmes for your business. Contact our team today to find out more via: employer.training@gloscol.ac.uk or call: 01452 563400.