Your Career. Our Priority.
Hiring your first apprentice might feel like a challenge – but we’re here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be. While many apprentices may be at the start of their career journey, they are fully fledged employees from day one. They’ll be learning your systems, processes, and culture while also developing new knowledge and skills through formal training.
Apprenticeships are designed to grow very capable individuals in real-world roles. They offer businesses a unique opportunity to bring in fresh talent with the potential to grow into future leaders – or, used to upskill existing team members in a structured and impactful way.
To help you get started, we’ve created this guide to walk you through the process of recruiting, supporting and hiring an apprentice effectively:
Whether you’re planning for the next 6, 12, or 18 months – or even further ahead – your business growth goals should inform how you approach the recruitment of apprentices.
What areas of your business need strengthening? Are you looking to expand your Accountancy, Marketing, or Data Analysis teams? Apprenticeships are a forward-thinking solution to bridging a skills gap, building future-ready teams and driving long-term business growth.
So, the first step is understanding where apprenticeships can support your long-term plans. Perhaps this is a question which you don’t know the answer to just yet. Our team are on hand to support with this brainstorming process.
Selecting the right training provider is just as important as understanding the skills gap and choosing the course. A quality provider will tailor their approach to suit your industry and region, ensuring the apprentice – and your business – gets the very best value from an apprentice.
For example, in sectors like Accountancy, it’s essential to work with a provider that offers full AAT certification to ensure your team gains the credentials they need to thrive.
Apprentices are fully fledged employees, so they should expect to go through your standard recruitment and interview process. This ensures they’re a good fit for your team and that the role is a good fit for their development.
At EMA Training, we make recruiting even easier with our complimentary recruitment service. We support employers by advertising roles, organising interviews, liaising with candidates, and providing a talent pool of pre-screened applicants, making it as efficient and seamless as possible to find the right person for the role.
Every apprentice benefits from having a dedicated workplace mentor in addition to their training provider. This mentor plays a key role in supporting the apprentice day-to-day, helping them apply what they’re learning, and ensuring they meet the requirements of their apprenticeship.
The combination of on-the-job experience and structured learning makes this internal support essential to the success of the apprenticeship.
Apprenticeships aren’t just a short-term solution – they’re a long-term strategy for sustainable growth. Once an apprentice completes their course, there should be clear progression paths available including further education in-line with opportunities in the business. These might include Level 4 qualifications like the Marketing Executive standard, for example, if the apprentice has just completed their Level 3, or higher-level finance certifications such as ACCA or CIMA.
As they progress, you’ll have the opportunity to bring in a new apprentice – someone who can again grow within your culture and help drive your business forward.
Whether you’re ready to hire a new apprentice or looking to upskill someone already on your team, apprenticeships offer a powerful way to build your workforce. If you’re considering your options, we’d love to hear about your goals and help you explore the best fit for your business.
Get in touch today to start shaping your future with apprenticeships.
