Member Article

Apprentices bring productivity boost say businesses

According to new research, 72% of businesses experience improved productivity as a result of apprenticeships and 69% of companies benefit from a boost in staff morale.

The research, published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, surveyed over 4,000 employers operating in a wide range of sectors and set out to find the true value of apprenticeships to businesses.

Sixty-seven percent of those questioned said they’d experienced improved product or service quality and 66% reported an improved image within their sector.

Around two-fifths of private sector firms reported that it had helped them win new business, whilst just over a third indicated that offering and training apprentices had lowered their overall wage bill.

The Tyne, Wear and Northumberland Association of Learning Providers (TWNALP), which represents 46 training companies, knows only too well the benefits apprentices can bring to an organisation:

“This research backs up the real, tangible results our members see every day within businesses they work with. Apprentices are not only employees that can be trained to do things your way, they also bring fresh thinking and have a positive impact on the rest of your workforce,” said Chairman, Malcolm Armstrong.

Over 70% of all employers surveyed said they had recommended apprenticeships to other employers.

Malcolm adds: “We find that the vast majority of employers we work with are surprised by the additional advantages apprenticeships create, above and beyond what they thought they would bring.

“The vast majority of the 10,000 apprentices we collectively place within businesses each year are highly motivated and very committed to excelling and exceeding expectations in their role. Having a very keen young person enter a workplace seems to have an energising affect on most organisations.”

New support guide for businesses

TWNALP is developing a new support guide for businesses taking on an apprentice for the first time, which will be launched in the Autumn.

The guide will help employers get the best out of their apprentice and will highlight their responsibilities in the selection, recruitment, induction, training and ongoing commitment to apprentices they take on.

David Baker of ITECNE explains: “When you take on an apprentice or put your existing employees through an apprenticeship you will of course have the full support of your chosen training provider but an employer also has an important role to play in getting the best out of the programme. This new guide will make it as easy as possible to do this. It will ensure an apprenticeship is a complete win-win for the business and for their apprentices.”

TWNALP’s members deliver around 10,000 apprenticeships to employers across the region every year. Its members constantly strive to improve their services to businesses through sharing best practice and collaborating on projects and training.

If you have a requirement for an apprentice or work-based training for existing employees TWNALP can sign-post you to a suitable, quality provider. Contact Brian Burr 07751 340 818 or email brian.burr@twnalp.org.uk

* Research quoted in the article is taken from BIS Research Paper Number 77 ‘Evaluation of Apprenticeships: Employers’, May 2012

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jill Farmer (Dobson) .