So, you’re the founder of a startup, and you need that extra pair of hands badly, but with cash flow pretty tight, hiring experienced full-time staff just isn’t an option right now. What next?
Taking on an apprentice
Building a skilled and loyal team is crucial to scaling the business and driving success. One solution that can offer both cost-effectiveness and long-term benefits is taking on an apprentice. Apprentices inject fresh ideas, and energy, and possess a willingness to learn, making them ideal for a fast-paced startup environment.
According to startups.co.uk, a key challenge startups continue to face is attracting and retaining top talent. Instead of searching endlessly for the ‘perfect’ candidate, why not invest in an apprentice you can mentor and develop to meet your needs? Unlike traditional hiring methods, apprenticeships blend hands-on experience with formal training, making them a no-brainer for startups looking to grow in-house talent whilst having peace of mind that the formal training is taken care of by an external apprenticeship training provider, such as Access Industry.
Hiring apprentices for a startup business
Apprentices can be an asset for a startup, adding value in many different areas, such as marketing, events, business administration, customer service, and even software. What’s great about apprentices is that they’re flexible, allowing you to tailor their learning journey to suit your startup’s unique needs. You’re not just employing someone who is learning the ropes in a classroom – you’re getting someone who is coupling training with hands-on experience, enabling them to directly contribute to your business operations.
Startups are often driven by innovation, and apprentices bring new ways of thinking. Their different perspectives can fuel creative problem-solving, help with digital marketing, assist with product development, and so much more. They can work alongside your existing team, absorbing the knowledge and skills necessary to excel within your business, while offering new ideas that could take your products or services to the next level.
Benefits of hiring an apprentice
Flexibility
One of the greatest advantages of hiring an apprentice is the opportunity to shape their skills according to your business’s needs. Rather than hiring someone with pre-existing habits or processes, you gain a motivated and adaptable collaborator, ready to approach challenges with a different outlook. Whether it’s managing social media, maintaining a website, or planning events, apprentices can take on responsibilities that help accelerate growth while freeing up founders and senior team members to focus on high-level strategy.
Apprenticeships are structured to align with industry demands, offering a broad scope that often prevents narrow specialisation. As a result, the skills acquired through most apprenticeship programmes, including ours at Access Industry, are highly transferable across various sectors. By the time your apprentice has completed their training, they will have gained the expertise needed to become an integral part of your team.
Rest assured knowing that your apprentice will also receive training from an apprenticeship training provider and build on their technical skills as part of their off-the-job hours.
Cost efficiency
Hiring an apprentice is one of the most cost-efficient ways to add value to your team. With government incentives and funding available, the financial investment required to take on an apprentice can be much lower than recruiting an experienced full-time employee.
UK startups can benefit from the apprenticeship levy, and receiving a gifted levy from donor organisations can mean that 100% of the training costs are covered. Alternatively, employers may pay as little as 5% of the training fees, with the rest subsidised by the government. Startups hiring apprentices under 25 typically don’t need to pay National Insurance contributions.
Apprentices are paid at a rate lower than fully qualified employees, which helps startups save money without compromising the quality of work. As your apprentice builds on their skills and experience, their productivity increases, making them a valuable investment for your business.
By training and developing young talent, you’re not just filling an immediate skills gap, you’re building a long-term asset for your business. Apprentices can develop into the future leaders of your startup, taking on greater responsibilities as they climb within the company.
Employee retention
Apprenticeships aren’t just for new staff, they’re for existing employees too. Investing in apprenticeships not only benefits the business in the immediate, but also in the long run. Upskilling your staff can contribute to higher employee retention rates. Employees are more likely to stay longer with businesses that have bought into their development. Newer talent may also be retained for longer as they first-hand see how their contributions are helping to grow the company.
Boost team morale
Bringing an apprentice into your startup can also boost the morale of your existing team. With a new entry-level team member on board, your employees have the opportunity to take on leadership or mentoring roles, which can increase their job satisfaction. Additionally, the presence of an eager apprentice can feed positive energy into the workplace, creating a more collaborative and inspiring culture.
Diversity and inclusion
Hiring apprentices can help enhance diversity within your startup. Apprenticeships provide opportunities for individuals from various backgrounds to enter the workforce, including those who may not have traditional educational qualifications or experience. By offering apprenticeship opportunities, your startup can ensure a more inclusive environment, attracting diverse talent and perspectives. This not only enriches your company culture but can also lead to more creativity, better decision making and problem-solving.
How to hire an apprentice for a startup business
Hiring an apprentice for your startup might sound like a big commitment, but it’s a process that can be straightforward and broken down into five key steps:
1) Determine the role
Before you begin the recruitment process, it’s important to understand the role you want to offer to an apprentice. Think about the skills your startup needs, as well as the tasks and responsibilities the apprentice will take on. Some examples could include:
- Are you looking for support with creating content about your products or services? A Level 3 Content Creator is a great fit.
- Need help with events, from ideation to execution? A Level 3 Event Assistant is a great choice.
- Want to build an app or other software? A Level 3 Software Development Technician or Level 4 Software Developer can fill your skills gap.
- Do you need assistance with responding to customer or other stakeholder enquiries? A Level 3 Business Administrator is here to help.
The clearer you are about the position, the easier it will be to find an apprentice who fits the bill.
2) Find the right training provider
Working with a reputable apprenticeship training provider is crucial for ensuring that your apprentice receives expert training. Look for providers that have supported a varied range of businesses operating in different sectors.
At Access Industry, our apprenticeship programmes are aligned with industry demands. Our experts offer guidance on hiring and managing your apprentice while ensuring that they receive high-quality training. We’ll also walk you through any aspects of securing funding that you’re unsure about. Your business can take advantage of our free recruitment service if desired to take the stress out of hiring.
3) Advertise the apprenticeship role
Once you’ve mapped out the role, it’s time to advertise the apprenticeship opportunity. Use various platforms to promote the role, such as your website, job boards, and social media channels. Additionally, work with your training provider to connect with potential candidates who may be a good fit for your startup.
4) Interview candidates
After receiving applications, it’s time to interview. It’s important to not only consider apprenticeship candidates for their academic qualifications but also their enthusiasm, attitude, and interest in learning. Apprenticeship programmes are as much about personality and potential as they are about skill sets. Whilst small, startups have the advantage that they can focus on potential rather than just experience. This approach is particularly valuable in a startup environment where enthusiasm, adaptability, and drive to learn can often outweigh a traditional CV.
5) Onboard your apprentice
Once you’ve found an apprentice, create an onboarding process that sets them up for success. Introduce them to your company’s culture, provide the relevant tools and training they need, and set clear expectations for their role. Don’t forget to offer support along the way, apprenticeships are about growth, and with your guidance, they’ll flourish.
Want to employ an apprentice for your startup business?
The advantages of apprenticeships aren’t limited to large businesses, they’re often even more impactful for small businesses and startups. In a small team, every hire matters, and apprenticeships offer a chance to bring in talent that grows alongside the company.
For startups and small businesses, apprentices will:
- Increase productivity: 78% of employers say that apprenticeships improve productivity. With the right training and mentoring, apprentices quickly become valuable members of the team, taking on responsibilities that free up time for other team members.
- Offer new ideas: As a result of their blended learning environment, apprentices are exposed to the latest tools, techniques, and industry trends, which they can apply to your business.
- Cost savings: Apprenticeships can save on recruitment costs. In the UK, employers can expect to gain between £2,500 and £18,000 per apprentice during their training period.
Startups thrive on innovation, agility, and passion – qualities that apprentices tend to embody. By hiring an apprentice, your business gains not just an employee, but a key partner in your growth.
Onboarding an apprentice is not only a financially savvy way to grow your startup’s team, but it also offers numerous other benefits, including customised skills, employee loyalty, and enhanced workplace morale.
If you’re ready to grow your startup while supporting the development of junior professionals, it’s time to take the leap and hire an apprentice.
Contact Access Industry to learn more about how we can help you hire and train an apprentice who will be a valuable asset to your team.
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