What to consider before taking on an apprentice

In the latest in her series of articles for Modern Joinery News, Samarah Dawson, Business Development Manager at specialist furniture and interiors apprenticeship training provider, WEBS Training, asks: Is an apprentice right for your business?

Taking on an apprentice is a fantastic thing, but after last issue’s run-down of the costs (catch up here if you missed it) it’s certainly an investment you should carefully consider – both for you and for your potential apprentice.

I’ve broken it down into some simple questions to ask yourself to check if you’re in the best position to bring an apprentice into your business.

Do you have someone in your business to mentor your apprentice?

Your apprentice will be coming in green and will need someone to show them what to do as they start their new career – especially as 80% of their apprenticeship will be spent in the workplace.

As well as teaching them the practical skills, an apprentice joining straight from school may need support and patience as they adjust to the world of work!

The workplace mentor will also be the point of contact for the training provider – they will work together closely to keep the apprentice on track.

Will you give the apprentice opportunity to practice?

It can be nerve wracking to first let your apprentice on the tools and use your materials – but without time or opportunity to practice, the apprentice might not reach the desired skill level by the end of the course.

WEBS Training and other training providers are a sandbox for learning (and making mistakes!) teaching the tools and techniques of the job – but after this the apprentice then needs extended time in workplace actually having a go… not just observing, not just labouring.

For the apprentice too – they’re raring to go, and sometimes those held back can leave their course as they are bored.

Does your business have the time?

You need to be able to give your apprentice time at the training centre, time to complete paperwork, and the workplace mentor will need to provide feedback and have progress meetings with the training provider.

There may also be additional apprentice enrichment activities – such as going to shows.

If you cannot be without your apprentice for this time, or begrudge them leaving the workplace, then it may disrupt the training and prevent the best outcome for the apprentice.

Can you afford it?

I’ve already spoken about affordability at length but in business it is all about the pounds and pennies!

It is so important that you have budgeted for your apprentice for the entirety of their course – sadly we have seen apprentices made redundant because the costs weren’t fully planned.

By considering and being able to offer the above it vastly improves the chances of retaining your apprentice, gives better quality learning, and improved apprentice experience – which means in turn you will have a significantly more skilled and committed member of the team at the end of their apprenticeship.

If it’s too much for your business right now…

That’s ok! It’s better to have carefully considered taking on an apprentice and decide against it, than to employ an apprentice and not have them finish their course – wasting your time and money, and the apprentice being left without a qualification.

The future can start now

You can start planning the things you need to put in place to be able to take on an apprentice in the future: budgeting in apprentice costs for the following financial year, seeing who in your business has capacity (and the personality!) to be a potential mentor, keeping seconds or returns to be practiced on by an apprentice.

Developing a new person in the industry is amazing – at WEBS we love to see how an apprentice grows from the start of their course and seeing their pride when they finish their first project.

If you think you’re ready to develop an apprentice of your own – contact us at: info@webstraining.com or visit: https://webstraining.com/