Start Ups, SMEs and Apprenticeships
3 essential ingredients for a successful apprenticeship
On Thursday 29th July, we hosted an insightful panel discussion and Q&A event at Better Space, to explore how apprenticeships can be a benefit and success for start ups and SMEs. On the panel (from left to right) we had:
Simon Magness from Better Space and host of the panel
Helen New, founder of Helen New Communications who recently hired a digital marketing apprentice.
Tom Neill, founder of Time to Spare, a business been built on software developers who’ve completed a level 4 apprenticeship.
Jack Gibson from the London Progression Collaboration, who help coordinate the transfer unspent apprenticeship levy.
Hamish Mackay, lead of the LIFT programme which aim to help residents in Camden, Hackney, Islington and Tower Hamlets to get into good local jobs in the knowledge economy including tech, digital, sciences, and creative production, and to support businesses and start-ups in these sectors.
Dialling in to the webinar we had Dan Sofer, founder of Founders and Coders a training provider of software development apprenticeships.
Check out the recording of the event on Vimeo here, and our summary and takeaways below!
But first, why consider hiring an apprentice into your SMEs an start up?
It probably isn’t a surprise that SMEs and start-ups can benefit greatly and in many ways, from hiring an apprentice into their teams. There is now a vast range of modern, relevant apprenticeship standards available for new businesses across different industries to tap into; from digital marketing and software development to visual effects specialists and sustainability practitioners. An apprentice that is learning and training whilst working in a job role, can inject brand new skills, diverse talent and new industry insights into businesses, enabling companies to harness top talent without needing to solely compete on salary.
Helen of New Communications explained to the audience how impressed she had been by the performance, ambition and drive of Sashane, a digital marketing apprentice she recently hired with City Gateway. Tom Neill, founder of Time to Spare shared how his software developer apprentice Neville (hired from Founders and Coders) had already had an established a career in project management before pivoting to join his apprenticeship program, which subsequently brought broader skills and experience into their team. Apprenticeships are for everyone; from any background or level of education!
What you might not know, is that SME’s and start ups can receive up to £3,000 from the government as a grant to support them taking on an apprentice, as well as benefit from the fantastic levy transfer scheme to cover the cost of the training programme (which is sometimes up to £11,000!). Helen explained how she had been able to hire Sashane with the help of London Progression Collaboration who sourced some of Amazon’s unspent apprenticeship levy. City, University of London and Better Space is also a supporter of small businesses through the levy transfer scheme, so please get in touch with the Better Space team if you are looking for support.
How do apprenticeships actually work in practice for small businesses and start ups though?
Through the conversation between our panellists and in answer to questions from the audience, 3 key areas of consideration emerged as advice to those seeking to hire an apprentice.
Invest your time
Be sure to take the time before hiring an apprentice, to understand what your business need is, what apprentice standards are available and suitable, what the timelines and schedules for the training are and how this interacts with your team’s work. As agreed by the panel, the first three months will be a steep learning curve and journey for both the host and apprentice, but a worthwhile and useful one! There is a wealth of information available on the government websites, so it can be less overwhelming to seek out the support of organisations such as the LPC or LIFT Futures, for free advice and a conversation about your options.
Find the right training provider
After understanding what apprentice role is right for your business, it’s time to find the right training provider to support you all through the scheme. Training providers are important partners in ensuring that your new employee receives the right teaching, guidance and support to complete their qualification.
As part of the apprenticeship agreement your employee will spend 20% of their time completing off the job training (the equivalent to 1 day a week). Delivery will vary between providers and programmes – some will look to complete the training in one go at the start of the apprenticeship, others will have a week long training at intervals through the year – it is useful to consider this in relation to your work schedule ahead of taking on an apprentice to ensure appropriate allowances are made for the apprentice to complete their work.
A training provider will usually offer great soft skills support and pastoral care through coaching for the apprentice, as well as help you manage your requirements as an employer. Speak to training providers in advance and also seek references or introductions to companies that have used them before.
Harness a mentorship culture
Whilst apprentices will have support from their training facility and their peer group (which can be a great source of insight into other businesses!) Dan Sofer explained that it is very important and more rewarding for businesses to facilitate an apprentice when they have a mentorship culture.
It was advised that you should take on an apprentice in an area that you and your team can support and make time for. An apprentice is there to learn on the job from you, your team or even through a wider network and community such as neighbours and contacts in a coworking space.
Whilst utilising your broader network to support your apprentice is a great mutual benefit to the individuals involved, nurturing this culture in your immediate team will also develop leadership and mentoring skills in-house and can significantly contribute to the the team’s engagement too.
It was great to host an in-person and online event again and we look forward to continuing to support small businesses and Better Space members with apprentices in the future.
If you are interested in finding out more about taking on an apprentice in your startup or SME please get in touch with the Better Space team to see how we can help!
