What to consider when launching an apprentice scheme in your business

Traditionally, when you reach the age of leaving school, most people think of heading off to higher education full-time, whether that be going to college, university, or something else. As times have changed and adapted, more options have opened up for people in this position, including the likes of doing an apprenticeship.

With more educational establishments encouraging students to pursue this avenue as much as any other, there is no better time than now to implement an apprenticeship scheme into your business.

Not only will you be passing on valuable skills to someone who is interested in making a career within the sector you are in, but you can also free up some of your time by taking on what would essentially be another member of your team.

First Steps
When you have decided to hire an apprentice within your business, you will need to make sure that you have registered your business with a governing body. Currently, the UK Government are offering incentives to companies that take on an apprentice, granting a sum of money for each one to go towards costs associated with hiring one.

While the process of registering is generally straightforward, it is suggested to get this step of the process completed sooner rather than later. Once you have registered your business, you will be free to find someone who is interested in being an apprentice for your company. This leads us to the next point.

Utilising Available Resources
When wanting to hire an apprentice in your business, you may well find yourself asking many questions, mainly if this is something that you have not done before. This is only natural, and you are not the first person to feel this way, nor will you be the last.

With that in mind, there are numerous resources available on the internet and in person, which can assist and guide you through the process of launching an apprenticeship scheme within your business. Companies, including the likes of Embracing Future Potential, provide businesses like yourself with the tools you need to establish a fulfilling educational programme.

Not to mention, there are bound to be other businesses both in your industry and associated ones, who may well have been through this exact process themselves. Contacting them for some advice and to discuss their experiences will enable you to distinguish any obstacles that you might come across and ways to get around them.

**Advertise the Position **
This is somewhat the easiest part of launching an apprentice scheme in your business. Once you have got the paperwork and logistics handled, you can find someone who fits the position you have available.

Advertising the position at local schools and colleges through a Careers Advisor, as well as on social media, is an excellent way of reaching the target demographic. Finally, when you have responses to your advertisement, you will want to make sure that the applicants fit the criteria that you would have pre-set.
Once you have finalised the details, choose a start date which suits all parties, and you will be raring to go!