Is hiring an electrical apprentice really worth it?
Posted by: electime 16th August 2022
Annie Button is a freelance writer who has written for various online and print publications, specialising in lifestyle, business, branding and career development.
Hiring apprentices is common practice for many electrical companies but others may feel that hiring someone who is fully qualified and experienced is the better route to take. Each business owner will have their own feelings and leanings regarding apprenticeships but there are advantages to using them.
With a quarter of tradespeople and companies looking to hire apprentices in 2021, it’s clear that not everyone is sold on the idea. The supply of apprentices impacts this number but let’s look at whether hiring an apprentice can benefit your company or not.
How an apprentice can improve your business
Electrical apprenticeships really can be a win, win situation for both employers and employees. Employers gain skilled labour who are professionally trained in the crafts and processes you are most in need of. Apprentices gain invaluable knowledge and practical experience that sets them up for a career in the electrical industry.
● Improving productivity and service
With an extra pair of hands to help out, independent traders or electrical businesses can deliver a better service. Rather than being stretched too thin, given electricians are in high demand, an apprentice can do many of the labour-intensive tasks to help save time.
These menial tasks are those that your experienced staff don’t necessarily want to do and it’s not necessarily the most cost-effective use of their time. With your more experienced staff focusing on the trickier aspects of their job, your business can improve its productivity with the help of an apprentice.
● Injecting some youthful energy
You may find that electricians who have been in the industry for a while are less keen to learn new things and develop their skills further. However, an apprentice is often all about learning as much as they can and will relish any opportunities that come their way. That enthusiasm and motivation can go a long way to helping bring some energy to your team which can be infectious and spread throughout the rest of your workforce.
There is also the fact that the energy a young, enthusiastic apprentice brings is contagious and those around them will feel like they have been given a boost too. Of those employers who recruit an apprentice, 80 per cent believe they boost productivity within their workplace.
● Cost-effective labour
One of the main advantages of hiring an apprentice electrician is the smaller wage they command versus a fully-trained alternative. You are giving up some of your time and taking the risk that the apprentice isn’t at the level required to assist your business, at least in the short term. For that risk, apprentices are paid less than others, which makes hiring one a cost-effective appointment.
While getting paid is important, the real value that apprentices gain from an apprenticeship with an electrician is knowledge. The skills they pick up alongside their education can set them up for a life and career in the electrical trade.
There are also financial incentives from the government for companies that hire an apprentice. For example, the government has supported employers hiring apprentices by offering up to £3,000.
● Bridging the skills gap
The electrical industry is always adapting and changing to the latest technologies being introduced. Your apprentice may even have more theoretical knowledge of the latest advances but not yet have the practical skills to add this to their repertoire.
Additionally, you can often send an apprentice on a specific course to fill the skills gaps in your own company. They can then bring those new skills to your business, adding further value to them being there other than simply offering another pair of hands to help out.
Considerations when hiring an apprentice
There are many positives to hiring an apprentice but businesses must consider their plans and growth expectations before hiring.
● Apprentices require time and commitment
An apprentice shouldn’t be viewed as cheap labour; they are there to learn the tricks and skills of the trade, which companies agree to help with when taking one on. Having an extra pair of hands will help increase your productivity but it also takes time and commitment to get an apprentice to that stage of support.
Pretty much every step of the way, your apprentice will have questions and it’s important to give them as much feedback as possible to let them develop. There is also plenty of paperwork that comes with hiring an apprentice, not only the initial documentation but also reviewing and updating their progress reports.
Enrolling an apprentice in your business is a commitment, and typically you must agree to at least a year but sometimes as much as four years. When considering hiring an apprentice you must think about the long-term strategy for the business and how they fit into that.
● Business comprehension
Apprenticeship schemes are commonly aimed at 16 to 24-year-olds, which may mean they aren’t totally aware of what working life is like. This might be a lack of understanding about maintaining a professional image at all times, especially when at a client’s home, or even being able to keep to a timeframe. Guiding an apprentice isn’t just about developing their technical skills, it’s also about teaching them and giving them experience in the working world.
● Risk of leaving
Nothing is ever set in stone in business and the same is true of apprentices. They are there to learn important skills in the electrical trade but that doesn’t mean they are committing to staying in your company for the remainder of their careers.
There is a risk that an apprentice may end up leaving and working at a different business after all of the experience you helped them gather. This is, unfortunately, the way of the world and no matter which industry you find yourself working in, many people’s career aspirations often take them beyond the first company they work for.
Many in the electrical trade may have goals to become self-employed but know they have to start somewhere to build up the experience. However, when it comes to apprentices, although some do leave, many feel loyal to those who train them and give them their first taste of the industry.
As much as 64 per cent of apprentices remain working with the same employer once they have completed their training and education. Treating an apprentice well can help to retain their services once they become fully trained.
Should you hire an apprentice?
When deciding to bring in an apprentice or not, it’s important to take a balanced approach. Where apprentices require extra time and effort in the short term, their enthusiasm and productivity can give your business a significant boost.
They help to plug some of the holes in your own company expertise while often ending up a cost-effective solution for many businesses. While they may leave once they have completed their apprenticeship, the value they add to your business during their tenure is often significant.
