Apprenticeships are often associated with roles in the manufacturing sector and trades, with apprentices themselves often thought of as younger individuals who want to make the leap from school to work. However, these common misconceptions can put up barriers against employers looking into apprenticeship opportunities within their workforce.
We all need to consider the benefits apprentices can bring to an organisation, especially in the healthcare industry. The sector itself hasn’t really imprinted apprenticeships within its make-up, as most staff are often trained to degree level if they work in a registered clinical role.
Traditionally, it is often only clinical and non-clinical support staff – making up 40% of the sector – who may have entered the service as apprentices. This is an idea we are working to challenge as it’s actually staff across all levels and a wide range of roles who can benefit from apprenticeships which are even available up to degree level in some areas.
Whether they want to widen their knowledge in their existing role, progress to another department in the sector, or develop management and leadership skills, it’s time we move away from what we traditionally believe an apprentice to be. As an industry, we should embrace new talent and use funds available to upskill those who can be assets to the sector.
The benefits
Studies by the British Chambers of Commerce found organisations of all sizes benefit from apprenticeships, with a great number of advantages. Reported benefits include increased employee satisfaction, with 88% of apprentice employers believing they lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce, which in turn generates greater loyalty and quality of work.
Lower recruitment costs also play a role, with 75% of employers saying apprenticeship programmes have helped cut recruitment costs and 80% saying apprenticeships will play a bigger part in their future recruitment policy.
In the healthcare sector, these benefits are crucial in the delivery of care; ensuring the workforce is happy and competent, and that a wide range of roles in the sector are appealing to new recruits to ensure a pipeline of talent to fill skills gaps.
Available assistance
The focus on how we deliver apprenticeships in the UK is changing next year when a new government apprenticeship levy comes into effect from 6 April 2017. The apprenticeship levy requires all employers operating in the UK with a pay bill of over £3m per year to make an investment in apprenticeships.
UK employers in both the private and public sectors who pay towards the levy will be able to access funding for apprenticeships through a new digital apprenticeship service programme. Organisations must begin preparations now to ensure they don’t miss out on help fully accessing and utilising this funding. For many employers, this will mean a complete review and reassessment of their current workforce plans, developing and implementing an apprenticeship strategy, and looking at the range of frameworks available.
First and foremost, you must understand why you are using apprenticeships. Ask yourself: what benefits can apprentices bring to your organisation?
With a wide range of apprenticeship reforms due to be implemented during the course of this parliament, it’s critical that your organisation has an effective apprenticeship strategy that works under the current policy and is able to respond to upcoming changes, adapting accordingly.
As the leading experts in healthcare apprenticeships, Skills for Health and the National Skills Academy for Health can offer you in-depth support, information, advice and guidance to ensure you don’t miss out on making the most of this funding.
If you would like to discuss your requirements with our apprenticeship experts, please contact us on contactus@skillsforhealth.org.uk or call us on 0117 910 2286. More details can be found here: Apprenticeship Levy.
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