Should your business consider taking on an apprentice?
Posted on in Business News , Cycles News
Independent think tank Civitas, has argued that there should be many more opportunities for young people to enter into high-quality training and said that apprenticeships are key to reducing youth unemployment.
Examining the situation in Germany, Civitas said that German firms employ apprentices equivalent to about 5% of their workforce, compared with less than 1% in Britain. Moreover, the average duration of an apprenticeship in the UK is one year, but in Germany it is three years. As a result, Germany has a better skilled workforce, higher productivity and much lower youth unemployment than the UK.
The contrast between the different approaches of the two countries is evident in figures from the UK Sector Skills Development Agency. They show that Britain has only one apprentice for every 104 employees, while Germany has one for every 22 employees.
Although the Civitas report proposes that UK firms should be obliged to take on apprenticeships, it acknowledges that there is no such requirement in Germany (except in the construction industry). But in practice the majority of German firms accept a number of apprentices proportionate to their size and even the smallest businesses tend to have at least one apprentice.
"This is in stark contrast to the UK and provides a ‘level playing field' with all companies exercising their responsibility," businessman Christopher Simpson writes in the report.
It's clear from the German model that apprenticeships don't just benefit young people and the firms that take them on, but the overall economy as well.
If you are looking to take on an apprentice to give your business a boost, ATG Training offer some guidance.
There's no question that taking on an apprentice is great for your business, helping it grow and develop. It also provides an amazing opportunity for the young person you take on, letting them earn a wage, gain hands-on experience and study for a qualification. If you are thinking of introducing an apprentice to your workplace there are a number of things you need to consider. In an article published in The Telegraph, experts give key pieces of advice about how to go about taking on an apprentice.
Know the basics: Apprentices work around 30 hours per week, on average. The minimum wage for apprentices is currently £2.68 per hour.
Take a simple, focused approach: Focus on the training needs of your business and you will get the best out of your apprentice (and vice versa). Think about whether you could re-train an existing employee, or take on someone new.
Talk to a provider: At ATG Training we can give you advice about the programmes we offer and how we can meet your needs.
Look at the funding options: If it is the first time your business is planning to take on an apprenticeship you could be eligible for an apprenticeship grant of £1,500. As an employer you can also apply for funding to cover the cost of training your apprentice(s).
Think in the long-term: Set yourself clear objectives about what you want your apprentice to achieve and how they can benefit the business. The more you are able to develop your apprentice's skills, the more they can help shape your business.
To find out more about apprenticeships with ATG click here or contact ATG Training.