No this isn’t a blog about a reality TV show where
young apprentices are sacked with the ominous words “You’re fired”, but to promote National Apprenticeship Week (#NAW2012). National
Apprenticeship Week has been going full steam this week, raising the profile of
the benefits of taking on an apprentice in a business. Apprenticeships are a
great way for individuals to gain qualifications and workplace experience due
to the on-the-job learning alongside a mentor. Though an apprenticeship doesn't guarantee a permanent role at the end of it, it is a great positive endorsement
of creating more apprenticeship schemes as well as helping reduce the
catastrophic million 16-24 year olds currently unemployed. An apprentice becomes
trained to a high standard in a profession or trade. Research has shown
recently that older workers, not your traditional school leaver at 16-18 years
old, are turning to apprenticeships to gain new skills and an actual job.
From a business perspective apprenticeship schemes are
great if you get a good, hard working apprentice and there is program of
learning and development. Modern apprenticeships usually include a day release
to a local college to enhance further the vocational learning with industry
specific NVQ’s. This means apprentices can get on-the-job training leading to
a nationally recognised standard, developed by industry. There is a minimum
wage for an apprentice currently set at £2.60 an hour, but to take on an apprentice/employee for cheap work is not a traditional or
modern apprenticeship. As the old saying goes, you only get back what you put
in. Business Secretary Vince Cable announced earlier this week that from next
week small firms will be able to apply for an incentive payment of £1,500 to
take on their first apprentice in 2012/13.
If
you have never employed an apprentice before, naturally you may not know the
ins and outs of apprenticeship schemes. The CIPD have released a comprehensive
guide on apprenticeships. Download for free here
Be warned though apprenticeship contracts are usually
for a period of time, i.e. until the apprenticeship is served. Dismissing an
apprentice prior to the completion of their time has hit the news before
Apprenticeships
are a great way to help train and give skills in an industry or trade and we
would be delighted to help anyone considering doing so with more information on
how to set an apprenticeship up.
Have
a good weekend, Lord of The HR Dept.
