4 benefits of hiring an apprentice or trainee for your business

Have you thought about hiring an apprentice or trainee for your business? You may have thought about the benefits that come with employing these types of individuals who have fresh energy and potential to offer. Not only do they already possess relevant knowledge and skills, but you'll have the opportunity to further train them so they can have the guidance and support needed to become highly skilled workers for the workforce.

According to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), statistics have shown that 1 in 10 people who work in trade occupations are either apprentices or trainees. This goes to show that there are candidates out there that are still interested in undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship because not only do they get remunerated for their work but they develop practical skills and knowledge on-the-job, while also receiving formal education as well.

We outline some of the benefits that come with hiring an apprentice or trainee, and how financial incentives like the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements (BAC) can help your business.

The benefits of hiring an apprentice or trainee

1. Increase staff attraction and retention.

One of the major benefits of hiring an apprentice or trainee is that you'll be attracting fresh talent. Most apprentices or trainees have either completed the minimum high school requirements and make the choice to enter the workforce immediately, wanting to develop skills and knowledge that can help them find steady employment.

An apprentice or trainee can offer your business a chance for them to move up the ranks since they are receiving formal education, vocational training or otherwise that allows them to apply their skills and knowledge into real-work scenarios.

Once they have successfully completed their traineeship or apprenticeship, you can then keep them as a permanent hire. It can then motivate them to remain loyal to your business, provided that you offer company perks like ongoing professional development and flexible work arrangements. 

2. They can bring relevant key skills and knowledge to the table.

While university graduates have a more prestigious title to their name in finishing a bachelor's degree, trainees or apprentices already have received on-the-job training as part of their program. One advantage they have is that they have learned practical skills and knowledge needed to enter the workforce, so they may already have the capacity to undertake responsibilities for an entry-level position.

Hiring a trainee or apprentice, they are likely to undertake formalised education through vocational training, such as an online course with Upskilled. Here, they may have developed significant transferable skills that can provide high value to the company.

Upskilled offers courses in business, community services and IT. Majority of our courses come with practical assessments that encourage students to collaborate with others. For example, assessments involve role-playing and this can provide an opportunity for trainees or apprentices to apply what they've learnt from those hypothetical scenarios to an existing workplace.

3. Financial incentives are available.

The Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements (BAC) is a government wage-subsidy that was rolled out in 2020 to help alleviate the impact of COVID-19 for employees and businesses. As an incentive for businesses to hire apprentices, the Australian government has implemented the BAC to offer remuneration per apprentice, offering up to $7,000 in wages per quarter. This is applicable for a 12-month period with some eligible businesses receiving up to 50% of wages covered for their new apprentice hire.

These are some key points worth keeping in mind about the subsidy:

• It is available to all employers of any size, industry or geographic location.
• It is applicable to all new employees and existing workers who commence an apprenticeship on or after 5th of October 2020.
• The maximum wage subsidy covered comes to a maximum of $7000 per quarter. 
• The wages paid subsidy is available from 5th of October 2020 to 31st of March 2022. 

By hiring an apprentice, you'll have the opportunity to receive financial incentives like Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements (BAC), which can work great for your business. Not only will you have the potential to have a skilled hire, but the financial incentive can help boost your business earnings - particularly if your company was hit during COVID-19. 

Also, Upskilled offers courses that have traineeships available, so your new hires can study while receiving on-the job training and get paid through the BAC program. 

4. They can contribute new ideas to the business.

Having a new apprentice or trainee for your business means that they can bring new and fresh ideas to the table. As they are at the start of their careers, you may find that they have the enthusiasm and motivation to get things done as well as learn new things that can contribute to their career growth.

Not only will their contribution provide value to your business but as an employer, you'll be providing them with the opportunity to grow their skills that help increase their loyalty as employees. For example, providing them with educational opportunities to upgrade their skillset through a diploma or certificate-level qualification with Upskilled.

Create exciting opportunities for your new hires

Learning opportunities can provide excitement for new hires because it shows that as an employer, you want the best for their professional development and career. By providing employees with further training, this can provide them with the opportunity to gain new skills and knowledge that is relevant to their role. 

Upskilled has a range of courses across some of Australia's in-demand industries. Best of all, they are delivered online, providing you with the flexibility to continue your work commitments while upskilling on the side.

Get in touch with one of our education consultants and enquire on a course today!