What is an Apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships are training programs that combine work-based skills and theoretical learning. Most of the Apprenticeship takes place in the workplace where Apprentices work alongside staff to gain skills and experience the business requires. Assessment of progress takes place in the workplace. In addition to the workplace based training some Apprentices may also train at Stroud College on a day or block release basis.
Apprenticeships have numerous benefits to both employers and the apprentice.
Benefits to Employers
Research, conducted in February 2008 by Populus on behalf of the LSC to launch the first National Apprenticeship Week revealed:
- 77% of employers believe apprenticeships make them more competitive
- 76% say that apprenticeships provide higher overall productivity
- 80% feel that apprenticeships reduce staff turnover
- 83% of employers rely on their apprenticeships programme to provide the skilled workers that they need for the future
- Two-thirds of respondents believe that their apprenticeship programme helps them fill vacancies more quickly
- 88% believe that apprenticeships lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce
- 59% report that training apprentices is more cost-effective than hiring skilled staff, with 59% 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 (or even from Day One)
- 57% report a high proportion of their apprentices going on to management positions within the company
- Over three-quarters of respondents expect apprenticeships to play a bigger part in their recruitment policy in the future
Further details are available from the national apprenticeship service http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/Employers.aspx
How do I recruit an Apprentice?
Stroud College will assist you to recruit an Apprentice whether they are an existing member of staff or a new employee. Stroud College can recommend a suitable candidate from our applicant database and / or work with the National Apprenticeship vacancy matching service to help find you a suitable apprentice.
Together we will develop the new Apprentice to become a skilled member of your team and a valuable asset to your organisation.
Apprenticeships available at Stroud College
- Business Administration
- Childcare
- Construction (Brick & Wood)
- Customer Services
- Electrical Installation
- Hairdressing
- Health & Social Care
- Plumbing
- Retail
- Team Leading
- Hospitality & Catering
- IT
We are always interested in speaking to employers who whish to employ an apprentice or apprentices in areas that we do not currently deliver in. Please contact using the details below.
Next steps:
To discuss the benefits of adding an Apprenticeship to your organisation call 01453 761280 or email business@stroudcol.ac.uk
