So, you want an apprentice, where do you start?
You can ask friends and family, mention it to your colleagues, contact your local school or college, put it on your website or indeed. The best place is on the Gov.uk page. Why? It’s a go to page for everyone, young and old, plus we have their link directly on our website and our website is linked to an online portal which reaches over 2 million Students.
Make sure that your website has an easy to find careers page or job opportunity board – 3 clicks to find it is maximum, young people will lose interest if it’s too hard.
There is lots of information out there. Your first port of call for all automotive apprentices should be the Apprenticeships website www.apprenticeships.gov.uk
Here you will find loads of great information including how to recruit an apprentice, selecting a training provider and funding. Hire an apprentice (apprenticeships.gov.uk) www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/employers
Why should I create an account?
If you create an account, it is easier for young people to find you than using job boards etc. You will need:
• An email address
• Permission to add your PAYE scheme number or your Accounts Office Reference Number (AORN) to the account
• Permission to accept the employer agreement on behalf of your organisation
• You will also need either the Government Gateway login for your organisation, or your (AORN) and employer PAYE scheme reference number.
What are the next steps to recruiting an apprentice?
If you don’t already have someone in mind you should start looking at putting an advert together. There are great tips on the website.
Our top tip at School of Thought is to look at what other people have put, but make it your own, use words that young people understand and try to avoid jargon such as MET. Look at what College’s call courses as well, so when potential candidates search by keywords and location, they will easily find you and the role they want
Timing is crucial, aim to advertise between September and January to attract school leavers before they become busy with exams. Ideally advertise the year before you need the position filled, this way you will stand out from other employers who advertise later in the year. Often you will miss out by leaving it too late.
Make any opportunity sounds exciting – do not just list tasks. Get testimonials or videos of apprentices you already have saying what they do and how they enjoy it. Talk about learning new skills, expanding their knowledge etc. Let them know an apprenticeship can lead to a secure career. Give young people hope. One of the main worries for young people is that they won’t find a job/career.
How can School of Thought support me?
Once you are up and running and on the Find an apprenticeship – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Young people will find you. Your positions will be available to thousands of young people via our website and other platforms free of charge. If you want more targeted marketing for young people then please contact us to find out more, this is a paid service.
Why not register on our work experience portal as well so you start building your talent pipeline at Work Experience – Automotive School of Thought (schoolofthoughtautomotive.co.uk)
What other things can I do to get my business name out there?
Get down with the kids and start promoting your business on social media using Tik Tok, Instagram and Facebook. Avoid LinkedIn for youngsters as they won’t have a profile, so aim it at their parents, guardians or carers if you still wantto showcase your opportunities.
I’m not planning to have an apprentice right now, it maybe a few months
Even if you don’t have a vacancy right now, advertise one. It may take a while for you both to find each other, but the saying don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, springs to mind – if you find someone with the right attitude, work ethic, passion, and enthusiasm then maybe you should create a vacancy.
You don’t have to pay for everything yourself, you do get funding via your Training Provider. You will need to pay for wages and remember you do not have to pay the lowest amount, if you think they are worth more then consider paying them a bit more.
Young people may receive free travel and meals whilst at School, so bear this in mind when recruiting. Of course, no one expects you to pay for this, but travel distance can be an issue if they can’t get a lift. Some will not take a packed lunch to work because of cost, even if you have a fruit or snack bowl already, this may help someone.
Help is out there, but you need to be out there to. Gone are the days where a young person would turn up with a CV asking for a job. It may happen on occasions, but you need to get your brand out there and start exciting the next generation of talent, today.
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