Local SME in Birmingham, Lander Automotive have recently been awarded ‘SME employer of the year’ at the National Apprentice Awards 2017. They rely upon their Apprenticeship programme and stated; “We fully expect to have the future management team already employed here within our business.”
Could your SME benefit from rolling out an Apprenticeship Programme?
As a small business ourselves we understand the day to day pressures of running a business, sometimes the thought of making strategic changes are daunting and time consuming. BUT it is important to take time to observe your business from a different perspective and take into consideration the bigger picture. Recruiting the right staff is vital to any successful business. Perhaps introducing an apprenticeship scheme will provide fresh energy into your business and be the change your business needs. It may not be right for your industry, but it’s certainly something to consider.
According to the BBC, student loans interest rates are set to increase dramatically; rising from 4.6% to 6.1%, plus the cost of tuition fees are set to rise in 2020. Due to financial pressures, some students are opting out of University and looking at other options. An Apprenticeship programme can harness strong talent and continue their learning whilst also having on-the-job training. Benefits are twofold.
The key benefits of Apprenticeships for employers?
- Provides a cost effective way of training your employees
- Boosts employees moral and in return employee productivity
- Produces a skilled workforce which increases your competitiveness
- Your business may be eligible for Government funding to support your programme
For more detailed information on the benefits and challenges of implementing an Apprenticeship Programme in your business, the CIPD have put together a ‘Guide for Employers’.
If you are thinking this may be something which your business can benefit from or you have any questions at all, we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch with us here at CitrusHR Consulting, call us on 0844 854 6704 or email us at info@citrushrconsulting.com.