Why is it important for an employer to find the right apprentice?
Deciding to take on an apprentice is a big step; one you want to make sure is right for you and your business. More than anyone, we know the benefits of growing your team with an apprentice at your side and ensuring they’re the right apprentice for you is just as crucial.
The apprentice you choose will grow and learn with you, hopefully becoming an integral addition to your operation.
Understanding what the apprentice is looking to get out of their training programme and their longer-term goals could be the difference in your decision.
Taking on an apprentice who suits your company’s values could also be important to you, someone who is like-minded and would embody your business’s spirit.
Just breathe, think it through, look to the future, and take your time to be sure that you make the right decision for your organisation.
If you need help with the process, there are opportunities out there who can help match you to your ideal apprentice. The HomeServe Foundation’s Apprenticeship Matching Service is a FREE service which helps alleviate the stress, taking on the hard part for you.
Register your interest with them and see how they can help you!
How can a good training partner help match you with the right apprentice?
You don’t have to decide all this alone, leaning on your training provider could be a source of comfort.
Using their real experience in recruiting apprentices, they have the tools to ensure you get the right member for your team. They’ll do the leg work, so you don’t have to. With previous experience in the field, your training provider will be able to help match you with an apprentice that is ideally suited to your business.
At The Apprenticeship Academy, we pride ourselves on our professional expertise – but mainly we just want to make it as simple for you as possible.
We’ve been through it with others, so we know how hard or stressful it may seem and can help alleviate many of the potential concerns or barriers.
We help your small business with all-sorts of apprenticeship-related assistance that can seem scary to do alone, especially for the first time, including:
- Recruitment and selection
- Onboarding, contracts, policies
- Guidance on all paperwork
- Access to funding and payroll advice
- All certification
- All training, assessment, and skills
We’re here as a helping hand every step of the way.
Seven essential interview questions
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty, what on earth should you be asking during initial interviews? Don’t sweat, we’ve got you covered with seven top interview questions you might want to explore…
- Tell me a little bit about yourself?
- What interests you about an apprenticeship?
- Why have you chosen [subject] as a skill to grow a career in?
- What attracted you to train and learn in our company?
- What previous experience or training have you undertaken?
- What are the strengths you could bring to the apprenticeship?
- Do you have any questions?
These may seem like simple questions, but you’ll be surprised by how much you find out when the conversation begins to flow.
Remember, someone who is the most qualified, or has the most experience, might often seem like the best option on the face of things, but it’s drive and tenacity that really makes the perfect addition to your workforce. This hire could be a long-term employee in your business for many years to come if you find a candidate that is the perfect fit.
It’s important to encourage the interviewee to ask questions to you too, this can give you an insight into their personality and what interests them. This may also help the apprentice to determine whether this will be a good match from their point of view. It’s a team effort so the interview process shouldn’t be viewed as one-sided.
Not only this, but potential apprentices are also taught to make sure they put themselves out there and ask questions of their own.
It’s important to make sure you open the floor, so this is possible for them. It’s the best way of learning more about what the future can hold for the both of you.
If you’re a small business in the East Midlands, have a read of our employer guide to apprenticeships,covering in detail how to begin the hiring process.
What next?
So hopefully you’re now feeling equipped with the tools to comfortably hold your own interviews with potential candidates for an apprenticeship. But if not, reach out to your training provider – or us! – as they can provide you with the support and guidance you’ll need.
At The Apprenticeship Academy, we’re always happy to help and we’re only ever one phone call away from answering any queries you may have.
Don’t keep putting it off or leaving it down to a ‘job for tomorrow’, your life could change for the better. Don’t kick yourself for not doing it sooner and get in touch today.