More than ever before, people are favouring small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to launch and progress their careers. From entry to advanced level, apprenticeships bring huge business benefits. But navigating funding, recruitment and training puts off many SME owners.
The benefits of apprenticeships for SMEs
Quality training on the job, a salary, professional development – it’s easy to see why more people than ever are choosing apprenticeships. But what are the benefits to your business?
Apprenticeships allow you to develop an employee with the exact attributes that fit your organisational needs and culture.
Spending a minimum of 12 months learning the knowledge, skills and behaviours specific to their role, your apprentice will be engaged and invested in your business.
With new apprenticeship standards designed by employers, your apprentice will get high quality, industry-specific training and development that they’ll then apply to your business.
You can take on a new apprentice or develop an existing employee. From entry-level to more advanced specialist or managerial apprenticeships, you’ll showcase how your business invests in employees and progresses their careers.
With a strong focus on training and development, all your employees will be more engaged and motivated. Research shows that employing apprentices increases overall staff retention.
Employing a new apprentices also means bringing in new skills, talents, ideas and creativity.
SMEs have said that hiring apprentices not only increases productivity, but also helps them to win new business.
96% say they benefit their business
82% take on apprentices to build their business’s skills capacity
69% of say that they improve staff retention
73% that they improve morale
£214 per week is the average amount by which they increase business productivity
Thinking about starting an apprenticeship scheme? Like many SMEs, you may appreciate the benefits but still feel that there are barriers in your way, like working out how to get funding and knowing how to start an apprenticeship scheme.
Let’s make it simple.
Choosing the right apprenticeship scheme
There are many different apprenticeship schemes to choose from (and new ones being added all the time). While these schemes are structured, they are flexible enough for you to tailor them with the help of your training provider.
For example, apprentices will always spend at least 20% of their time learning skills beyond their usual role, such as health and safety training or coaching skills. You can identify which areas might be most useful.
Funding your apprentice
You have to pay your apprentice the minimum wage or more. And to attract the best talent, it’s worth making their salary competitive. You’ll need to pay for their training too, but there is government funding to help you.
Help with funding
7-steps to setting up your apprenticeship scheme
Ready to hire an apprentice? Follow this step-by-step guide.
Identify your skills gap and decide whether you want to develop an existing employee or take on someone new.
Decide whether you want an entry-level role or more advanced level.
Connect with a training provider.
Choose the apprenticeship framework or standard that best fits the role – if you’re unsure of the best fit, ask your training provider for support with this.
Check what funding you can get.
Advertise your apprenticeship if you’re employing someone new (your training provider should be able to help with the recruitment process).
Make an apprenticeship agreement and commitment statement with your apprentice.
Support from Lifetime Training
Getting help with your apprenticeship scheme from an expert training provider like Lifetime Training will make the process even more simple and successful.
Recruiting
Support advertising, sourcing and screening candidates that are prepped and ready for interviews.
Training
Quality assured training with support from tutors and trainers throughout.
Support
From helping you choose your scheme and work out funding, to supporting your apprentice.
The Portal
The Portal is a tool for apprenticeship learners and managers to track learner progression and upload evidence.
___________
FUSE
FUSE is an online learning community where apprenticeship learners can access resources, and interact with tutors and other learners.
MyLifetime
MyLifeTime is an online learning community where course learners can access resources, and interact with tutors and other learners.
___________
Apprenticeship Job Boards
The Apprenticeship Job Board - click here to apply for apprenticeship jobs and view your applications.
