Apprenticeships enable employers to build a sustainable and thriving workforce and taking on an apprentice is both rewarding and challenging.
As apprentices often start work with limited skills and experience, it makes sense that the investment you put in to support them from day 1 will help them to become
a competent, knowledgeable and highly skilled influence within your team.
Don’t forget, existing team members will also gain new skills whilst instructing, mentoring and/or supervising apprentices, which will in turn support your succession plans.
Here are our top tips for supporting the apprenticeship journey:
- Communication is key!
- A three-way dialogue between your apprentice, their line manager and trainer assessor works best with lots of clear, open and honest communication.
- Make the most of your trainer assessor’s wealth of knowledge, expertise and tools to support your apprentice and their line manager.
- Regularly check in with your apprentice to ask them how they feel they are progressing towards their apprenticeship goals.
- Maintain regular contact with your trainer assessor to
- provide feedback and contribute towards the training process and development plans
- keep them abreast of workplace expectations and values
- Make the most of the information and support provided by your college or training provider
- Keeping in regular contact with your college or training provider will keep you updated on any changes to funding, documentation and sector developments.
- Being informed will support your commitment to the apprenticeship journey and the obligations along the way.
- Keep an eye out for Wirral Met e-newsletter updates and details of employer engagement forums, where you can provide and receive valuable input to sector news and improvements.
- Wirral Met offers wrap-around support for both employer and apprentice – take a look at wmc.ac.uk/apprenticeships for more details – or get in touch!
- Build collaborative partnerships
- Building a strong and productive relationship with your college or training provider is key to:
- having a positive shared awareness of your apprentices’ progress
- allowing feedback to be actioned in the best interests of your apprentice
- promoting business growth, inspiring success and building outstanding employees of the future.
- Support your apprentice with a well thought through induction
- Starting a new career can be a challenging experience and it is essential you give your apprentice a comprehensive and positive induction.
- Creating a positive and inclusive atmosphere will allow your apprentice to feel positive about your organisation and being a welcome member of the team.
- A positive transition into the workplace will enable your apprentice to quickly become aware of company expectations and procedures, as well as professional expectations of them whilst at work.
- Enable a strong start and map career milestones
- Discussing future aspirations and career growth with your apprentice will enable them feel like a valued member of your team.
- Talk to your apprentice about the opportunities within your organisation and how you and your training provider can help them achieve this.
- Knowing the career aspirations of your apprentice may support the development of additional skills within their specialism, to further help them become a committed and loyal member of your workforce.
- Planning and preparation for End Point Assessment
- Ask your trainer assessor for the criteria for the End Point Assessment early on in the apprenticeship journey.
- Knowing the end goal for the apprentice will help you develop a plan for them to achieve to the best of their ability.
- Having a clear understanding of the End Point Assessment criteria will enable you to support them with work place practices and skills development, to build their confidence and stamina, to ensure they are well prepared to successfully achieve.
- Embrace challenges and encourage resilience
- Supporting the wellbeing of your apprentice alongside your college or training provider is one of the most importance factors and influences of success.
- Fostering a healthy work culture will allow the apprentices to feel comfortable and develop their confidence to challenge their ability, learn from their mistakes and develop resilience and a “can do” approach.
- Allocate a workplace buddy who regularly checks on your apprentice’s wellbeing as well as providing a safe space to speak freely and express their needs.
- Develop your understanding of “off the job” and “on the job” training
- As an employer providing both time for “off the job” and “on the job” skills development is an integral part of the apprenticeship process.
- Having an awareness of the “off the job” training your apprentice undertakes each week with your college or training provider, will enable you to support your apprentice to apply their new skills “on the job” ie to practise what they have learnt whilst performing daily tasks at work.
- Talk to your trainer assessor and apprentice about
- how you can support the development of new skills to enable your apprentice to be an asset to your day to day business needs.
- how you can successfully share your experience and skills and how this can shape both “off the job and “on the job” progress.
- Allowing your apprentice to spend time with your most experienced members of your team will increase their knowledge and skills confidence.
- Monitoring the progress of your apprentice will encourage their motivation and enthusiasm to go further.
- Awareness and importance of the review process
- It is important to have an oversight of the progress made by your apprentice.
- Each apprentice will be assigned a trainer assessor who will nurture and guide you and your apprentice throughout the apprenticeship journey.
- Your trainer\assessor will be on hand to answer any questions and provide updates on the skills obtained.
- The review process is key to ensuring your apprentice has an awareness of the progress they are making and how their progress is benefiting their job role.
- Reviews must take place every 8 weeks and include the apprentice, employer and trainer assessor.
- Employers are actively encouraged to take part in the review and allow the workplace mentor to discuss the qualification, be part of the career targets and discuss ways in which the employer\workplace mentor can help each other further
- Celebrate success
- Investing time to your apprentice is a worthwhile commitment and responsibility.
- The successful completion of the apprenticeship, and achievement of End Point Assessment marks a momentous occasion for both the employer and the apprentice’s career.
- Celebrating success within your organisation, and alongside your college or training provider, will encourage wider development and aspirations across your organisation.