The advantages of taking on an apprentice
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) predicts a widening skills gap in the auto repair sector, with a shortfall of 160,000 workers by 2031. There is an urgent need for more trained technicians - and apprenticeship schemes could provide an effective solution.
Apprenticeships allow budding mechanics to learn on the job, earning a wage from day one while gaining valuable skills. The benefits for young people who choose to go down this route are well known - but what about the benefits for the businesses that take them on? There are plenty of those, too, which we’ll cover in this article.
Reduced costs
Taking on an apprentice is a cost-effective way to develop new and in-demand skills in your business. It allows you to fill a vacancy at a lower cost because you don’t have to spend time or money on recruitment, and additional funding is available from the government.
If you are a small business, you are eligible for funding covering between 95% and 100% of the training costs. And if you own a larger business, you can use your levy to pay for apprenticeship training.
Did you know…the estimated yearly gain for employers who take on an apprentice is between £2,500 and £18,000 during their training period.
Less employee turnover
Government data shows that two-thirds of all apprentice ‘graduates’ stay in full-time employment at the business where they completed their apprenticeship. You can train apprentices to meet your current and future business needs, and you will likely benefit from their skills for years to come. The longer an apprentice is with you, the more value they add.
- 92% of companies that have taken on apprentices believe this leads to a more motivated and satisfied workforce
- 86% said apprenticeships helped them develop skills relevant to their organisation
- 80% have seen a significant increase in employee retention
Inspire the next generation of mechanics
Our industry needs skilled mechanics more than ever. Fewer young people are choosing vocational qualifications, and there is generally less interest in pursuing skilled trades despite the many benefits of doing so. Apprenticeship schemes allow you to train and inspire the next generation of mechanics and help solve the skills shortage that threatens the industry.
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