working in partnership with your apprentice
It’s National Apprenticeship Week, and we’re shining a light on the unsung heroes of the workplace. An apprentice (in our humble opinion) is a great investment and opportunity to develop an individual in line with your business, but how can you ensure you’re set up for success from the start?
It’s a Partnership
Apprentices typically come to your business from a provider, but this doesn’t mean it’s a transactional relationship; they’re like any other hire, a part of your business and the most successful apprenticeships are built on shared responsibility, clear expectation and ongoing support, which benefit you and your apprentice.
Let’s Get Clear
Apprentices should understand their role and responsibilities, and crucially, how their work contributes to the wider business, with a quarter of apprentices under 19 years old, this is key to supporting greater understanding of how any business works. As an employer you should be clear about what support, training and guidance will be provided both from you and from the apprenticeship provider, who will have a structured framework to follow.
Invest in Time and Support
Training is a key part of any apprenticeship framework and is largely directed by the provider, however a successful apprenticeship goes far beyond this. You are responsible for the professional and personal development of your apprentice, and providing a mentor or dedicated point of contact is a great way to do this. This could be a line manager or someone entirely different within the business; the key is supporting them to develop confidence in their role and workplace skills.
They’re just like any other team member
And you should treat them as such, team meetings, discussions and planning should all be things you are ensuring your apprentice is part of. This helps them feel valued, accelerates their development and adds diversity of thought to your business. Bonus: When apprentices feel trusted and included, they’re much more likely to take ownership and want to grow with the business.
Focus On The Future
Think beyond the framework. An apprentice is a long-term investment, so it makes sense to get it right. You have the opportunity to develop skills, capability and talent. Think about progression and what a future with your business looks like for your apprentice, rather than just filling immediate gaps.
We’re keen on apprenticeships
Perhaps you can tell, but we believe when an employer actively invests in an apprentice the benefits extend beyond the individual and business involved and contribute to creating a sustainable talent pipeline for the future, which sounds pretty good to us!