Why Hiring an Apprentice Could Be the Boost Your Business Needs

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Many people would be quick to state that the primary benefit of hiring an apprentice is gaining a new employee who is eager to learn, but the reality is that taking on an apprentice can give you a vital advantage for many other reasons.

The modern business world is more competitive and more advanced than ever before, so it’s safe to say that companies have to be highly motivated and creative if they want to succeed. There are many ways to improve a company — many of which involve introducing state-of-the-art technology and brainstorming new marketing strategies — but integrating an eager, young mind into your team could be the game-changer your business needs.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at apprenticeships and the benefits businesses can enjoy by hiring an apprentice.

Increased Productivity

There are many aspects of the workplace that can affect a company’s ability to succeed, but the productivity of your staff can make or break your business. Lulls in productivity should never be overlooked. If it’s something your business is experiencing, introducing a fresh face to your team could be just what you need to kick things up a notch.

In fact, a survey carried out by the Department of Education in 2017 revealed that 75% of small business owners enjoyed several benefits by taking on an apprentice, one of which was an increase in productivity. If you currently have a job vacancy or feel that your company would benefit from hiring an apprentice, there’s no time like the present.

A Morale Boost for Current Employees

Poor morale can directly impact workplace productivity, motivation, and, potentially, the mental well-being of your employees. If your team are inefficient or unenthusiastic, due to their mood, your business will struggle. There are many ways an employer can boost the morale of its employees, from team building and positive reinforcement to incentives and day trips.

But another, less obvious, way to improve the morale of employees is to hire an apprentice. Not only will a new face and personality enhance the dynamic of the workplace, but their eagerness and excitement to learn will be refreshing to employees who lack inspiration or have forgotten why they chose to do their job in the first place.

Apprentices Are Tech-Savvy

The digital age and the continual evolution of technology has transformed the business world. Today’s generation has grown up using the latest technology on a daily basis, including smartphones, complex software and computers.

For many employees, technological advances came much later in their careers. Technology — especially computing — can be daunting, but it’s a vital part of modern business.  An apprentice, on the other hand, will have used this technology during their entire education. It goes without saying that having a young person in the workplace who understands technology and can learn new skills quickly is a huge asset to a company.

An Opportunity to Delegate and Promote Employees

Taking on an apprentice not only gives a young person the opportunity to take their first step on the career ladder, but it also offers employers the opportunity to delegate some of their team’s duties. The entire point of hiring an apprentice is to provide them with hands-on experience — this means you need to give them the chance to actually do the work. Delegating tasks will allow your existing employees to take on additional responsibilities, which can potentially increase overall output on a company-wide scale.

As your apprentice gains the necessary skills and knowledge to work efficiently on their own, you will have the chance to promote employees who have excelled themselves or demonstrated an interest in taking on a more senior role. Not only will this boost an apprentice’s confidence and demonstrate recognition of hard work, but it also provides you with a dedicated member of staff committed to growing your business even further.

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