Jen Freeland: Apprenticeships are an incredible way for companies to bring in new talent and nurture existing employees

Apprenticeships are nothing new to the job market, but I’ve seen them growing as a topic of conversation for businesses in the past few years as people debate the value they offer. Some businesses have run apprenticeships for years, while for others they are a new arm in their employment structure. For me, I think apprenticeships are an incredible way for companies to bring in new talent and nurture existing employees. They offer a cost-effective way to create a skilled workforce that you can tailor to your business needs.

At ENGIE we run multiple apprenticeship schemes, including at Dinorwig Power Station in Caernarfon. The hydroelectric power plant has really embraced these practical apprenticeships, knowing as we all do that probably around 70% of learning happens on the job rather than just in a classroom.

When we bring someone in on an apprenticeship contract, we are building the pipeline for our future workforce. As an employer we are given the unique opportunity to shape a new employee and tailor their skills to suit the business’ needs.

And the academic learning isn’t just for the apprentice’s benefit either. I know firsthand from speaking with teams that have apprentices how they have been able to solve complex problems using the knowledge and fresh thinking that apprentices bring. This experience not only enhances the apprentice’s skills but also provides valuable insights for fellow employees, particularly those who may not have engaged in training for some time. It’s perhaps not the most traditional way of bringing in skills, but I think it opens doors to so much unique thinking which has a positive impact on the wider team.

It is a common misconception that apprenticeships are exclusively for new starters or for those straight out of school. Existing employees can also take on an apprenticeship, which is something we offer too and really reap the benefits from. It gives employees the chance to upskill and progress within their career without having to take a career break or leave the workplace. It’s a win-win situation for us as it helps us to retain dedicated employees, bring in new knowledge and they get the opportunity to gain a qualification in something they are passionate about. It’s not just young talent that can bring in fresh thinking!

From what I see in our own business, the investment it takes from the organisation to bring an apprentice into the fold is paid back tenfold. Grants have made the apprenticeship schemes much more attractive to businesses and I hope to see more businesses taking advantage of this to introduce multiple different apprenticeships across varying levels.

For a long time though apprenticeships have been viewed by some people as the ‘easy option’ as opposed to university, but that simply isn’t the case. There are a variety of different levels of apprenticeships that we have offered, from early levels to degree apprenticeships where you work alongside earning a degree-level qualification; competition can be stiff for all these roles.

The range of apprenticeships businesses can take advantage of are not only a cost-effective recruitment strategy, but also enables you to build a diverse pool of talent that can help your company to thrive. Having multiple perspectives from an intergenerational and diverse workforce is something that every business can benefit from and has a lasting impact on the wider economy too. At ENGIE, we’re constantly evolving our recruitment strategy to try and broaden the net to allow more people to apply for apprenticeships by targeting different schools and colleges for new recruits.

I feel so passionately about apprenticeships. I’m not only responsible for managing our apprenticeships schemes, but I have also completed an apprenticeship myself; I know all too well the additional work and effort that an individual needs to put in. I completed an apprenticeship in Professional Coaching, and while factoring in the additional learning felt hard at times, I knew I wanted to grow my career and bolster the skills I had been picking up on the job, with structured teaching from industry leaders. I’d tell anyone considering an apprenticeship to go for it, if you’re willing to put in the work, and are committed and driven, it’s an incredible career opportunity you won’t regret, and you will be so valuable to employers.

For employers debating bringing on an apprentice, I can’t see a reason why you wouldn’t do it. With the rise of new technologies and environmental pressures, every industry needs to be adapting to change. Companies need to figure out what skills they are missing and bring in a pipeline of talent for the future. I believe diverse thinking is the best way for any business to tackle new challenges, and recruiting fresh talent and investing in upskilling your workforce via apprenticeships sets you up for success in the best way possible.