Apprenticeships are the future for business: join us to find out about the many benefits for your organisation

Ahead of National Apprenticeship Week, Councillor Mariam Lolavar, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Business and Skills at the Royal Borough of Greenwich, reflects on the benefits of apprenticeships for businesses and invites employers to the Greenwich Apprenticeship Summit on 5 February.

National Apprenticeship Week, from 5 to 11 February, is a brilliant chance to learn about apprenticeships, explore opportunities for your business and draw ideas and inspiration from the experiences of fellow employers who have hired an apprentice.

This year, we are excited to be hosting the Greenwich Apprenticeship Summit with our partners London South East Colleges and Visit Greenwich. This is the first event of its kind in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, dedicated to celebrating and promoting apprenticeships and their employers.

We will shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

National Apprenticeship Week is an important date in the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s calendar. Apprenticeships play a central role in building the economy we want to see – one that’s inclusive, sustainable, thriving and benefits all our communities, with no one left behind.

Apprenticeships can be life-changing for learners and are proven to give businesses a massive boost, with 86%* of employers surveyed by the government saying they helped them develop skills relevant to their business and improve productivity. That’s why they’re at the heart of our work to ensure that everyone in Greenwich has the opportunity to secure a good job and to reach their potential. We want to make it as easy as possible for employers to create high-quality opportunities for residents, bringing real benefits to organisations.

Apprenticeships have benefited the Council enormously, so we speak from experience. Since 2012 over 1000 people have achieved their qualification with us and gone on to fruitful careers. In fact, many have now become managers and are employing and supporting apprentices themselves.

Despite all the success stories, many local employers have told us that there is a lack of understanding and clarity around the process and practicalities of hiring an apprentice and accessing funding.

This is why, as part of our event, we will be hosting a session dedicated to employers.

This will offer a welcoming space to network with fellow employers and to receive guidance from expert advisors. This includes advice about funding available to help support with costs when hiring an apprentice.

Ahead of the event, here are some of the many reasons why hiring an apprentice might be the best thing for your business:

1. Developing skills to get people work ready for your business

As a business owner, you know what skills your team needs to support and grow your business. If you’ve noticed skill gaps or areas of potential growth, you can use an apprenticeship scheme to train up new employees in these areas from day one.

There are currently over 800 apprenticeship standards to choose from for new or existing staff, ranging from Level 2 to Level 7, which is equivalent to a master’s degree, so you’ll be able to find one that fits your business objectives.

2. Saving on costs

Hiring an apprentice is a cost-effective way to support the development of new skills and talent in your business, with many employers able to access funding and grants to cover the costs.

In the Royal Borough of Greenwich you can get 100% funding for training apprentices through the apprenticeship levy. There are other funding opportunities to help you upskill your team on a budget. At the Greenwich Apprenticeship Summit we will be discussing how the apprenticeship levy and other funding works.

3. Diversifying your team

Apprenticeships offer individuals the opportunity to study for a professional qualification while they earn, making them attractive to a broader range of people, and allowing you to recruit people from more diverse backgrounds. By widening the talent pool, not only will you be fostering social mobility, you will also bring new ideas and fresh approaches to your organisation, driving positive change and championing a more inclusive culture.

You will hear about the many benefits of recruiting and training apprentices at the Greenwich Apprenticeship Summit.

If you’re an employer, register for your free ticket to join us at royalgreenwich.gov.uk/ apprenticeship-summit-employer

*Results from a survey conducted by apprenticeships.gov.uk