Top tips for apprentice employers

The CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) have complied a guide for employers on how best to run high quality and successful apprenticeships programmes. We look at some key points for prospective employers on how to get the most from their apprentices.

• Do your research
  

  There is a lot of detailed information available from the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) on the kinds of programmes available to the prospective employers of apprentices. This information should help to make an informed choice and provide the best possible training programme for your apprentices.

• Define the role of the apprentice
  

  It is important to clearly define the role the apprentice will perform in your organisation to provide them with a solid framework in which they can work and learn. It is also important to consider their role within your organisation upon successful completion.

• Plan your program effectively
  

  Having established the desired role of your apprentice, it is vital to plan in the short term how to manage their time between learning and working within your current framework, whilst planning ahead to how they will sit in your organisation once qualified to meet your future business objectives.

• Gain support from your staff
  

  It is important to ensure that your existing staff are ready to assist your apprentice, who will require a greater level of support and guidance from them than a fully trained employee.

• Use the recruitment support available
  

  The NAS can provide help and support throughout the recruitment process, including the free advertising of situations vacant on their website. If you have already selected a training partner they may also be able to assist in the recruitment of an apprentice from young people already on their books.

• Offer equal opportunity access
  

  It is important when recruiting to be as open as possible when selecting candidates and to select from a broad pool in terms of gender, ethnicity and socio-economic background.

• Choose the right training provider
  

  When reviewing which training provider to use to take care of the educational side of the apprenticeship, make sure that the provider selected has the correct courses and facilities available to meet your requirements.

• Take care of your apprentice
  

  It may go without saying that apprentices are just starting out on their career paths, and aside from their on the job training will probably require a greater level of mentoring and pastoral care than other employees.

• Know their rights
  

  Be aware that your apprentice will be entitled to a similar employment package as your other employees and you will be legally obliged to offer benefits like sick and holiday pay.

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