Last week, (7th - 13th February) the UK celebrated National Apprenticeships Week 2022. It was a week-long celebration of apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses, and the wider economy. The theme this year was centred around ‘building the future’, thus reflecting on how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills/knowledge they require for a rewarding and fulfilling career. This theme also emphasises how apprenticeships support businesses in developing talented workforces that are equipped with future-proofed skill sets.
An apprenticeship is a paid job where the employee learns and gains valuable experience. In conjunction with on-the-job training, apprentices spend at least 20% of their working hours completing classroom-based learning (with a college, university, or training provider). This ultimately leads to a nationally recognised qualification. It’s an all-encompassing programme designed to equip individuals with key skills needed within their sector. It typically includes paid employment with annual leave, hands-on-experience (in a role of interest), 20% off-the-job training, and a formal assessment.
There are many reasons why organisations should invest more in apprenticeships. Such as the breadth of talent they can facilitate, and a high calibre of staff. Apprenticeships can offer your organisation the following benefits:
- Employing an apprentice provides someone with an opportunity to start their career. You can shape the apprentice to work how you want them to work, and to fit in with your business culture. In return your apprentice will likely grow into a loyal and knowledgeable employee.
- Training helps employees to be more competent and skilled in their role. Apprenticeship training can be completed within the workplace and within existing working patterns. This minimises any disruption.
- Apprenticeships can motivate your employees. Having a trained workforce who have the precise skills, knowledge, and equipment to fulfil their responsibilities will likely lead to better job satisfaction, productivity, and profitability.
- A typical workforce has a range of diverse skills and experience. But this can dissipate when employees leave. Employing and training an apprentice, whilst also introducing a mentoring system, helps those skills to be retained and refined. This should ensure the skills are passed on to future employees.
Smart Apprentices (an Advanced company) was created to provide innovative software that supports the digital learning journey. In over ten years we have transformed their product offering from one to five. This includes a virtual learning environment (Smart VLE), an eportfolio (Smart Assessor), and an end point assessment tool (Smart EPA). At Advanced we’re dedicated to supporting apprentices and believe the learner should be at the heart of our products. If you’re interested in developing an apprenticeship programme, you can capitalise on the benefits of Smart Applicants. It’s an innovative technology platform that enables training providers to manage their apprenticeship & traineeship recruitment process (from initial enquiry, through to successful selection by your clients).
Young apprenticeship and traineeship applicants can struggle to adequately showcase their skills, knowledge, and personality in engaging ways (in order to attract employers). Through Smart Applicants, your applicants can apply using our online application process. You can then support those that are suitable to create their digital profile, including a showcase portfolio, and an elevator pitch. It’s vital to ensure agility when investing in talent, so that we can collectively work towards building the future.
If you would like to find out more, be sure to take a closer look at Smart Apprentices.
