12 reasons why employers love apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are far more popular in markets such as the United Kingdom and European Union than Canada or the United States. But almost worldwide, more and more employers are discovering not just the concept of apprenticeships, but how they can become powerful recruitment tools.

We’ve gathered insights from a dozen experts, including Directors of Operations and HR Managers to explore the benefits of apprenticeships for experiential recruiting. These insights range from infusing teams with practical skills to bridging knowledge and practice.

Infusing Teams With Practical Skills

In the dynamic landscape of talent acquisition, apprenticeships emerge as a beacon for employers seeking to infuse their teams with practical skills and real-world experience. These programs seamlessly bridge the gap between academic knowledge and hands-on proficiency, providing a unique avenue for individuals to immerse themselves in the intricacies of a specific industry.

For employers, this translates into a workforce that not only possesses theoretical understanding but also shows a keen ability to apply that knowledge in practical settings. Apprenticeships enable companies to mold their talent according to their specific needs, fostering a culture of innovation and adaptability.

Beyond the traditional recruitment paradigm, these programs breathe life into experiential recruiting, offering a win-win scenario where employers gain dedicated, skilled professionals, and apprentices gain a launchpad for their careers. It’s not just a recruitment strategy; it’s an investment in the future of both talent and industry.

Aaron Bond, Director of Operations, Bond Rees Ltd.

Combining Practical Experience With Passion

Apprenticeships are great for finding employees who are incredibly passionate about the job, so much so that they want immediate practical experience. And, as an employer, this is something that you can provide.

Wendy Makinson, HR Manager, Joloda Hydraroll

Fostering Intrapreneurship Culture

Apprenticeships are effective in experiential recruiting since they foster an intrapreneurship culture. They foster an entrepreneurial attitude in recruits beyond the typical skill learning. 

Apprentices simulate the ever-changing difficulties of the corporate world by actively taking part in real-world problem-solving, innovation, and decision-making. This gives apprentices a sense of initiative and ownership, enabling them to become agile contributors who actively seek ways to improve existing procedures rather than merely adhering to them. 

Apprenticeships involve hands-on learning experiences that enhance a person’s capacity for flexibility, initiative, and creative thought. Employers thus benefit from a pool of highly qualified workers and from a group of intrapreneurs who give the company flexibility, inventiveness, and a forward-thinking attitude toward new prospects.

Adrian Hall, Business Development Manager, Pharmacist Schools

Injecting Youthful, Cutting-Edge Talent

By fostering apprentices, we inject our workflow with emerging talent already fluent in leading-edge tools, techniques, and aesthetic sensibilities. Their grasp of disruptive technologies, from VR to real-time rendering, keeps our studio continually expanding the boundaries of possibility.

Meanwhile, apprentices receive laser-focused professional development from industry leaders, plus networking boons. They build real portfolios and relationships, accelerating career prospects exponentially versus purely academic training.

The appeal for us lies in that symbiotic exchange. Infusing production teams with youthful hunger and bleeding-edge abilities compensate for industry familiarity, while we get to impart years of practical creative expertise.

Lukas Berezowiec, Founder and CEO, NoTriangle Studio

Developing a Homegrown Skilled Worker

Most businesses understand that hiring the greatest people is essential to their success, and one of the best ways to do this is through apprenticeships. Using an apprenticeship program to hire young apprentices is a good way to “home grow” a pool of skilled workers who can handle the demands of a high-pressure work environment, in addition to being adept in the skill set your firm needs. 

You can organize their learning opportunities in conjunction with career coaching to help you achieve your business goals and acquire transferable skills from a certain expertise. Many businesses claim that apprentices play a key role in helping them move their firm forward with confidence and in creating a strong, long-lasting talent pipeline.

Sasha Quail, Business Development Manager, claims.co.uk

Cultivating Industry-Specific Talent

Experiential recruiting and hiring are seeing a shift toward embracing apprenticeships as a more prevalent practice. Apprenticeships can serve as a valuable avenue for employers who want to pursue more experiential recruitment strategies.

They integrate assessment and enhancement of a candidate’s, or employee’s, skills, offering a foundation on which to shape talent in accordance with specific job requisites. In contrast to conventional hiring methods, apprenticeships empower companies to nurture skills finely tuned to their industry demands and their organization specifically. Employers can introduce immersive training, sharing specialized insights and practices unique to their company. 

Through investing in apprenticeship programs, businesses cultivate a stream of adept professionals perfectly attuned to their operations, fostering dedication and allegiance among individuals well-versed in the company’s workings. This approach not only tackles immediate skill deficiencies but also contributes to sustained talent growth and enhanced employee contentment.

Jack Vivian, Chief Technology Officer, Increditools

Identifying the “X” Factor

Apprenticeships and internships allow you to work one-on-one with someone and discover individuals with an “X” factor in a way that interviews and resumes cannot. 

Especially when it comes to creative fields like web design, or even marketing, often the right candidate needs to have not just the education and the experience, but also the right approach, and this is much easier to pick out when taking an experiential approach.

Germaine Muller, Founder and Managing Director, Futuretheory

Training in Cutting-Edge Technologies

I believe apprenticeships are a key strategy for future-proofing our workforce. They allow us to train young talent in cutting-edge technologies and methodologies right from the start of their careers.

In industries where technological advancements are rapid, having a workforce that is trained in the latest tools and techniques is invaluable. Apprenticeships enable us to stay ahead of the curve by cultivating a technologically adept workforce that can drive innovation and maintain our competitive edge.

Mark Varnas, Principal SQL Server DBA and Consultant, Red9

Creating a Reliable Talent Pipeline

Apprenticeships serve as a reliable talent pipeline for employers. By investing in training and development, companies can secure a pool of skilled workers who are ready to fill crucial roles when needed, helping ensure business continuity. If they find apprentices to not be good company fits, they haven’t yet hired them full-time.

Kelli Anderson, Career Coach, Texas General Insurance

Reducing Recruitment Costs

Apprenticeships are a smart move for employers who want to engage in experiential recruiting, mainly because they help cut down on recruitment costs. Instead of spending a lot on finding and training new hires, apprenticeships allow companies to grow their talent. 

You get to train people in the specific skills your company needs right from the start. This means less time and money spent on training them later. Plus, apprentices often become loyal employees because they’ve built their careers with your company. 

Another cool thing is that apprenticeships can attract people who might not take the traditional job route, bringing fresh perspectives and diverse backgrounds to your team.

Kimberley Tyler-Smith, VP of Strategy and Growth, Resume Worded

Enhancing Customer Base

Many companies that offer apprenticeship programs have observed an increase in their clientele following the launch of their initiatives. 

The truth is, that customers appreciate businesses that hire apprentices, and your company’s reputation will influence how both current and potential customers view you. 

It demonstrates that your business values hiring and developing talent, as well as assisting youth in entering the workforce.

Adam Crossling, Marketing and New Business Director, Zenzero

Bridging Knowledge and Practice

Apprenticeships are fantastic for employers engaging in experiential recruiting. This is because they bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Apprenticeships enable candidates to gain hands-on experience in the actual work environment. 

This practical exposure not only hones their skills but also allows employers to assess their capabilities firsthand. Candidates receive valuable on-the-job training, while employers identify and nurture talent.

This experiential approach fosters a skilled workforce. It enhances recruitment outcomes and contributes to a more effective and tailored talent acquisition strategy.

Catherine Cooke, Co-Founder, Upskillwise