Whether you are a newly formed business or have been established for years, there is always room to grow, change and innovate. One of the ways to do this is to use apprenticeships. New people bring new perspective and new skills, which can only mean good things for your company. Apprenticeships allow the business to secure a supply of people with the skills and qualities that the business required and which are often not available on the external job market;

1. Apprenticeships help secure a supply of skilled young recruits - especially important for the replacement of an ageing workforce;

2. Even if external recruitment was possible, Apprenticeships are less expensive to recruit and train than experienced workers hired on the external labour market because of high recruitment costs plus the costs of induction and any necessary training;

3. Apprenticeships contribute to a pool of skilled and certificated employees for the sector from which a company might recruit in the future;

4. They ensure that the supply-chain (i.e. sub-contractors) have a sufficiently skilled workforce;

5. Apprentices tend to stay with the organisation and labor turnover is lower;

6. Apprentices provide a cadre of employees from which to future managers could be selected;

7. Apprenticeship training could increase interest in training amongst other employees;

8. Apprenticeships demonstrate company's commitment to the employee;

9. Apprenticeships are more practical and job-related than other forms of learning;

10. Apprentices can bring new ideas and innovation to the business;

11. A good Apprenticeship scheme could be reflected in an enhanced reputation for the business both within the industry and in the local community.

So where is the next generation of Engineering Managers going to come from?

Apprenticeships could be the answer
•Designed around the needs of employers, Apprenticeships are available in nearly 200 job roles including those essential in Manufacturing and Engineering
•By employing an apprentice you can grow your own managers of tomorrow and train new or existing employees from an entry level role into a supervisory role.
•Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Apprenticeships are available in three different qualification levels: the equivalent of GCSEs (Level 2), A Levels (Level 3) or Certificate of Higher Education (Level 4).
•Apprenticeships can be tailored to fit different types of businesses and job roles, with most, if not all of the training “on the job”.
•Government funding is available upto 100% of the cost of training apprentices

Apprenticeship vacancies are a fantastic idea. As well as providing a free recruitment service for employers, it is very straightforward to use. It gives people the opportunity to search and apply for local, regional and national vacancies. On top of that it gives employers a vast database of interested candidates to tap into”
Paul Livingston  - Guardian Marine Testing

There has never been a more important time for the Engineering sector to develop and retain a talented skills force.

With over 75,000 companies and a workforce of over 2 million people it’s clear to see why the UK is Europe’s top location for investment in Bio-Technology and Engineering Research and Development.

With an ageing workforce and a lack of young people studying technology related subjects it means that significant numbers of skilled individuals will be leaving the industry in the near future, leading to further hard-to-fill vacancies and skills gaps as employers
compete for the best talent. These skills gaps among engineering graduates need addressing. As an alternative to graduates, some employers are now focusing on technicians via the Higher Apprenticeship in Engineering.

If the Manufacturing and Engineering sector – and your business – is to survive and grow, it is crucial that businesses train, attract and retain the right workforce, developing skills to ensure that the UK stays at the forefront of the industry.

How Do I Apply?

If you are an employer looking for Apprenticeship training for a member of staff, please contact one of our Business and Community Account Managers on 01946 839 300, why not?  Meet the Team.