In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week 2015 (9th-13th March), this short series of blogs is dedicated to supporting business owners and operators who are committed to apprenticeships and the amazing results that they create.
There is no shortage of health and fitness employers interested in hiring an apprentice; all too often however, we find that this interest to be ‘self interest’. Apprentices are seen by many health clubs and gyms as a means of reducing payroll liabilities and this is position that we as an organisation categorically do not support!
Apprenticeships should be seen as an investment, and like all viable investments, you have to put something in before you can get something out. In fact this is a natural principle that cannot be violated. Imagine the farmer asking for a harvest without first preparing the ground, planting the seed and protecting his crop from the weeds and the bugs. This isn’t how the world works and inevitably when winter comes, the farmer will be hungry!
“Apprenticeships should not be seen as a way to reduce payroll liabilities. They are an investment in to the future, and like all investments, you have to put something in before you can take something out”.
Apprenticeship programmes are no different to farming; in order to get the most out, you have to be willing to put the most in! Apprentices need training, resources, guidance, time to grow and of course ongoing support, especially during the first few months.
Those employers that expect a quick return on their investment often end up frustrated and disappointed, and in many cases the apprentice ends up leaving the business, and some cases the industry, in search of a more understanding employer.
Conversely however, those businesses that take the time to induct their apprentices thoroughly, and who continuously invest time in ‘on the job training, and who review, recognise and reward their apprentices for the great work that they do, are those businesses that reap the full extent of the tremendous benefits that apprenticeships afford. These benefits include, but are in no way limited to:
- Increased productivity
- Lower levels of attrition
- Higher levels of customer service/satisfaction
- Reduced absenteeism
- Greater flexibility within the business
- Deeper understanding of the business needs among employees
When we work with employers on our apprenticeships, we screen the learner and the employer to make sure that they are suitable for the programme and compatible with each other. In order to ensure ‘apprenticeship success’, it is imperative that both are clear as to what the apprentice’s role within the business is, and what the boundaries of this role are.
Our Top 5 Strategies for Apprenticeship Success will be posted daily throughout the National Apprenticeship Week 2015, and will reveal in more detail exactly what these steps are that maximise our apprenticeship success.
If you share our values and you are a business owner or operator in the health and fitness industry, why not get in touch to see how our apprenticeships could add value to your business.