Craft Focus - April/May 2020 (Issue 78)

85 BUSINESS You’re hired Regardless of the sector or industry you operate in or the size of your business, apprentices can be a fantastic asset to your workforce. I employed an apprentice when Crafter’s Companion was in its second year of trading and it soon became apparent just how beneficial this was to the company. Our first-ever apprentice progressed into a management position, and I’m pleased to say that this kind of success story has repeated itself throughout the company’s 14-year history across a variety of departments including product development, trade and our e-commerce operation. Recruiting talent to any business is difficult enough before you start factoring in how well people are going to fit into the company’s culture and whether they have enough experience for the role. There will, of course, be exceptions where you need to employ someone at a senior level, but hiring an apprentice allows you to tap into a pool of fresh talent. It also gives you the option to promote an existing member of staff and hire a new apprentice, which is a cost- effective way to fulfil a position. LEARNING CURVE You’ll still have to identify some of the necessary characteristics that can’t be taught, such as determination, enthusiasm and a willingness to listen and learn but otherwise, an apprentice is essentially a blank canvas. You can invest time and effort in arming them with specific skills that the business needs or is lacking, whilst they work towards a vocational qualification with your chosen training provider. This also gives you an opportunity to diversify your workforce. Younger members of staff can share their training with experienced members of the team while longstanding workers can pass on their wealth of knowledge of the business and beyond. You will also be providing an opportunity to people regardless of age and background, which could give you an edge over your competitors. DEVELOPING SKILLS If there are multiple structures to your business, apprentices can embed themselves into different departments to gain a good understanding of how the company operates, giving them a chance to learn a wider variety of skills in a working environment. Apprentices, therefore, can also boost productivity. If other members of staff need to spend their time on a project with a tight deadline, then an apprentice can support the team with tasks that still need completing, providing an additional pair of hands and contributing ideas from an alternative perspective. A large majority of apprentices are offered full-time positions and can take on a role that suits their strengths. This can, as a result, encourage staff retention. The apprentice will feel valued in the workplace, will know the business inside out and as their future has been invested in by their employer, will be loyal to the company. Lastly, people who embark on apprenticeships are choosing the career path that they believe is right for them. Whether it was a conscious choice or not, employers who hire apprentices are taking a positive step towards reducing young unemployment. Regardless of whether you’re a big business or a start-up, you can access government funding to cover some of the training costs, which means hiring an apprentice is a smart, cost-effective way to develop your future workforce. Find out more at gov.uk Apprenticeships offer a smart, cost-effective way to develop your workforce, says Sara Davies Sara Davies MBE is founder of Crafter’s Companion “A large majority of apprentices are offered ful l-time positions and can take on a r ole that suits their strengths. This can, as a result , encourage staff retention. The apprentice wil l feel valued in the workplace, wil l know the business inside out and as their future has been invested in by their employer, wil l be loyal to the company.”