How your existing recruiters can benefit from an apprenticeship

With government funding and the levy system, apprenticeships are a significant opportunity for recruitment businesses to invest in talented people and develop their skills. But with employers only spending 56% of their apprenticeship levy on average, some businesses are missing out on the full potential.

The problem is a common misconception: that apprenticeships are only for school leavers and young people getting started in their careers. In fact, apprenticeships are available for even the most seasoned recruiters—anyone you want to encourage, develop, and nurture towards new skills and responsibilities.

But with apprentices required to spend 20% of their time ‘off the job’, why would you bother? What are the benefits you can unlock with a funded apprenticeship programme? And what impact can you expect on your business?

#1 Retain great people by helping them progress

The cost of retaining employees is significantly less than the cost of finding a new one. And the more experienced and capable a recruiter is, the more costly it’ll be to find a suitable replacement.

In this sense, it’s important to give your most seasoned recruiters what they need to feel fulfilled and engaged at work. While recent data from Inc suggests that promotions into new roles are less desirable than you might expect, it’s human nature to want to learn and grow as part of your job.

Apprenticeships offer a structured way to learn new things, diversify skills, and take on new challenges. At Juice, 98% of our learners are professional adults who want to take their knowledge to the next level.

#2 Make the most of existing knowledge and skills

When you take on a young school leaver as an apprentice, you have to do two things at once: deliver the on-the-job training it takes to complete the apprenticeship, and build familiarity with your business, your culture, and how you work. Existing employees already come with a great understanding of your recruitment business—freeing them up to focus on the new ideas in their course.

Apprenticeships for experienced recruiters don’t teach knowledgeable people things they already know—they build on existing skills to help people become more productive, efficient, and impactful in their roles. Of course, apprenticeships are also an effective way to transition to new roles including management and leadership.

#3 Reduce the costs of the skills you need

Finally, using apprenticeships to train existing recruiters is a powerful way to lower the cost of vital skills. Hiring a superstar recruiter at a management level is costly; giving existing recruiters new management skills is something you may have already paid for in your apprenticeship levy.

With a funded apprenticeship, you can sidestep the costly process of recruitment, from sourcing candidates to time-consuming interviews. And you can confidently build the skills you need without wondering whether a candidate is committed, a good fit for your culture, and likely to stay long-term.

Learn more about Juice apprenticeships for existing recruiters