Why employ an apprentice?

Employing an apprentice enables businesses to fill skill gaps within their workforce as well as increasing productivity, improving business performance and ensuring a committed and competent workforce. Industry research highlights numerous direct and indirect benefits which apprenticeships can bring into your business; below we have highlighted some of the facts and figures behind employing an apprentice.

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• An average person completing an apprenticeship increases productivity by £214 a week.

• 96% of employers that take on an apprentice report benefits to their business.

• 80% of companies who invest in apprentices reported a significant increase in employee retention.

• 81% of consumers favour using a company who employ an apprenticeship.

• Employers who take on a 16-18 year old apprentice will only pay their salary. The government will fully fund their training.

• 77% of employers believe apprenticeships make them more competitive.

• One in five employers are hiring more apprentices to help them through the economic climate.

• 72% of businesses report improved productivity as a result of employing an apprentice.

• Apprenticeships are boosting productivity by helping businesses to expand the skills available in the organisation.

• 76% of companies who employ apprentices agree they make their workplace more productive.

• 92% of employers who employ apprentices believe apprenticeships lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce.

• 83% of employers who employ apprentices rely on their apprenticeship programme to provide the skilled workers that they need for the future.

• 59% report that training apprentices is more cost-effective than hiring skilled staff, with 595 believing that apprenticeships lead to lower overall training costs and 53% feeling that they reduce recruitment costs.

• In terms of the return on investment linked to apprenticeships, 41% say that their apprentices make a valuable contribution to the business during their training period, while a further third (33%) report that apprentices add value within their first few weeks.

• 57% report a high proportion of their apprentices going on to management positions within the company.

• Apprenticeship programmes allow training to take part at the workforce with little disruption to business operations.

• Over three-quarters of respondents expect apprenticeships to play a bigger part in their recruitment in the future.

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All data used is compiled by the National Apprenticeship Service.

* As of April 2018 and subject to change in line with the National Minimum Wage

** Subject to eligibility