At Lynx AC we’re always keen to support anyone who is passionate to learn our trade and wishes to combine learning with on-the-job training to develop the skillset needed for a career in air conditioning.
What is an Apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a formal employment programme which requires a contract to be signed with an employer; it’s a system of training a new generation of practitioners of a trade or profession. It allows work and study to be combined through mixing practical on-the-job training with classroom learning and can take one to five years to complete, depending on experience. Apprenticeships are open to anyone aged 16 or over looking to combine working with studying to gain skills and knowledge in a specific job.
How Does an Apprenticeship Work?
During an apprenticeship you’ll be employed while studying for a formal qualification, usually for one day a week either at a college or a training centre. At the end of an apprenticeship, and providing you’ve passed the necessary qualifications, you’ll hopefully have gained the skills and knowledge needed to either succeed in your chosen career or progress onto the next apprenticeship level. There are four different levels of apprenticeship: intermediate, advanced, higher and degree.
How Do Apprenticeships Benefit Employers?
Apprenticeships can be beneficial to employers for many reasons and are being implemented by more and more businesses.
Here are the four key benefits of apprenticeships for employers, they:
- Provide skilled workers for the future
Apprenticeships help to develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce. An apprenticeship training scheme can help employees to improve their skills, which will benefit the business in the long term. It also can help fill any skills gaps which allow the business to source future managers and leaders from within its workforce. By recruiting apprentices, you can train people to have the exact skills you need for your business, so investing in the future of the company.
- Increase staff retention and loyalty
Employees who have been trained in-house tend to be highly motivated, committed to your company and supportive of its business objectives. An apprenticeship encourages employees to think of their job as a career and to stay with the company for longer, which reduces recruitment costs. Offering an apprenticeship to an existing member of staff shows that you see them as an integral part of the workforce and that you’re happy to invest in their future.
- Are cost-effective
Although you are expected to pay your apprentices’ wages, funding is available to cover many other training costs. Apprenticeships are particularly cost-effective as a form of training, because young people can contribute to the workplace while they are learning.
- Can revitalise a company
Apprentices often bring a fresh approach and a positive attitude into the workplace which can have a knock-on effect on existing staff. As with any job vacancy, apprentices come from a range of backgrounds – including high-calibre candidates who do not want the costs of going to university – meaning they can bring a fresh insight to your business activities.
As well as being beneficial for your business, apprenticeships can also be good for attracting both customers and future high-quality staff.