Right now, our team of 12 includes two apprentices – in fact, we’ve welcomed them into our business since way back in 2017. Here’s why it makes sense for our SME to hire apprentices.
1. Training specialised skills
Like many SMEs, what we do is specialised. Training school-leavers from the ground up means we can instil our brand-specific values, standards, and processes. Our apprentices become experts in the ‘Visionpath’ style of business, which helps strengthen our client relationships and reinforce our industry reputation.
2. Strengthening our business
Like most businesses, we benefit from the unique insight of socially diverse young people. Along with understanding and relating to the students we work with, which is crucial for relationship-building, young people bring fresh ideas and energy that differentiate Visionpath from our competitors.
For example, ex-apprentice Sienna helped design and manage the process for our latest apprenticeship programme. Her experience of going through apprenticeship selection and onboarding was invaluable in helping us improve the way we do things.
3. Making smarter hiring decisions
For our 2024-2025 apprenticeship intake, we invited 10 candidates (selected from over 150 applications) to an insight and assessment day at Visionpath HQ. After introductions and a welcome presentation, group exercises gave us an insight into candidates' skills and attitudes before making any offers.
Longer-term, year-long (at least) apprenticeship programmes let us get to know apprentices and understand their potential before offering permanent roles (where it’s the right fit). Many of our apprentices stay with us, growing their careers with the business – like Sienna, who finished her apprenticeship at Visionpath in April 2023 and has since been promoted to Programmes Officer.
4. Futureproofing our workforce
Running apprenticeship programmes grows our early careers talent pool, making hiring for entry-level roles easier. As our business grows, having a steady stream of young talent who we can train and develop also helps us fill more senior roles.
For our 2024-2025 apprenticeship programme, we intended to hire for one role but decided to create a second thanks to the high calibre of the candidates. Meet Frankie, our apprentice Programmes Assistant, and Katie, our apprentice Early Talent Assistant.
5. Developing our team
We believe it takes a village when onboarding apprentices into SMEs, so we involve our whole team in supporting our newest recruits. Our pioneering Early Careers Growth Model features best-practice and skills development sessions run by team members, alongside one-on-one coaching. As well as supporting apprentices, this is an invaluable development opportunity for more senior colleagues.
6. Supporting diversity and inclusion
Right now, socially diverse school-leavers across the UK are missing out on career opportunities. But we believe a young person’s background shouldn’t limit their potential, so we’re on a mission to make early careers more equal.
If you share our values and want to discover how hiring apprentices can benefit your business, get in touch.
