In the first external entry to our 10 year Blog Vic Grimes, Director for Apprenticeships at the LSC, weighs up the real benefits apprenticeships have to offer, with a little help from Sir Alan Sugar.

With The Apprentice TV show well underway again, it seems like a good opportunity to look at the real life apprenticeships on offer.

Research by the UK Commission on Employment Skills has shown that companies who don’t invest in training are more than twice as likely to fail than those that do, so the importance of training has never been more crucial. There are many ways that employers can invest in their people, but  one of the most productive and rewarding ways organisations can address their skills challenges is through apprenticeships.

Sir Alan Sugar, who’s supporting apprenticeships across the country, said: “People who do apprenticeships become ambitious. They’re ‘doers,’ the kind of people who will make things happen. These are the qualities I look for in people. Success is all about finding people like this – people who will help any business to grow, especially in times like these. It’s important that employers take apprenticeships seriously. Apprentices make things happen and can help a business to grow and thrive.”

Apprenticeships are designed to help employees reach a high level of competency and performance through on-the-job and classroom learning. With over 180 different apprenticeship frameworks available across 80 different industry sectors, there’s a good chance that the right apprenticeship is out there – both for employers and for those thinking about the programme as a career path.

As employees, apprentices work alongside experienced staff to gain job-specific skills.  Apprenticeships are designed by employers for employers, and therefore tailored to meet the needs of each specific sector. You don’t even have to make a new hire; you can look at your existing employees and find an apprenticeship that suits. So there’s no excuse not to see what’s on offer. 

Businesses are increasingly seeing the value apprenticeships play in their organisation too. In a survey released during Apprenticeship Week in February, 81 per cent of businesses said apprentices helped to generate higher overall productivity. It also revealed that one in five businesses are hiring more apprentices to help them through tougher times. 

We know that apprenticeships can make a real difference to businesses and we want to make sure that as many organisations as possible, in Tower Hamlets and across London, take advantage of the opportunities apprenticeships bring. It’s time to say “you’re hired” to someone that can make a real difference to your business so take a look at www.apprenticeships.org.uk to find out more.