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Apprentices better than new staff

Friday 5th February 2010

By Mike Jones

Hospitality, travel and tourism employers believe that apprentices are head and shoulders above new staff when it comes to performance and productivity.

A survey from People 1st revealed that the sector skills council for hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism, found employers significantly viewed apprentices as a catalyst for galvanising their fellow workers into raising their game and stepping up their performance.

Four in ten employers surveyed (41%) claimed that apprentices were far more productive than hiring new staff, while 49% said they made their businesses more competitive. When asked what value apprentices added to their business, employers were bowled over by their willingness to learn (90%) and enthusiasm (63%), as well as their flexibility and responsiveness to change (47%).

Considering the tangible benefits to sector businesses, the cost of hiring an apprentice seems to quickly pay for itself with a third (33%) of respondents recouping their costs within a year and a further 20% within 18 months.

For many, Apprenticeships are becoming a seriously attractive business proposition. This year, one in four sector employers took on an apprentice and 37% of those currently offering the scheme said they were considering increasing their intake in the next financial year. A staggering 60% of employers who had not previously offered Apprenticeships confirmed they were seriously considering this option.

However, despite their interest, almost half (46%) are stumped by the Apprenticeship scheme process and how to go about taking on an apprentice.

The survey also revealed that:

* 53% of businesses have found that, on average, apprentices stay up to two years within their organisation while 27% stay for up to three years;
* Apprenticeships aided businesses with their staff retention and some are using it as a recruitment tool.

Brian Wisdom, chief executive of People 1st, said: "Apprenticeships are the lifeblood of the hospitality and travel and tourism sectors and give employers access to a rich and cost-effective source of raw and enthusiastic talent within a very short period of time which they can mould and shape into tomorrow's future leaders.

"Without doubt, Apprenticeship programmes encourage more talented young people into the business which ultimately should improve the quality of the hospitality and travel and tourism workforce."

Have your say on this story using the comment section below

View Comments 1 comments

Posted By kathleen Stevens on Friday 5th February 2010 11:20:19
I have always valued assisting with apprentices in the workplace. The apprentices that have been placed with the Company I work for have been an asset.

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