Getting the most from apprentices

 

Understand that taking on an apprentice is a long term investment. It's important to think clearly about what you need in an apprentice. If you think an apprentice is just there to help with a backlog of work then it's probably worthwhile going back to the drawing board. It's a big responsibility and you will be responsible for their career development so it's important that you can support them properly. If nurtured well, they can be moulded with specific skills to suit your business proportion but you do need to have a strategy in place to ensure they are being managed, mentored and trained efficiently and effectively.