Five Reasons to Hire an Apprentice
May 16, 2023
Choosing to offer apprenticeships can be a good opportunity for both employers and apprentices alike
Choosing to offer apprenticeships can be a good opportunity for both employers and apprentices alike. You have the flexibility to recruit apprentices at various levels, ranging from fresh graduates and school leavers to individuals seeking to advance their careers or transition into a new field. You can either employ a new apprentice or train your existing staff to enhance their skills. Additionally, as an employer, you can receive government funding to assist with covering the costs of apprenticeship training.
The benefits of hiring an apprentice are relevant to almost all businesses across all industries. In the construction industry, small companies with two-to-nine employees account for 79% of all businesses. Surprisingly, only 18% of these companies currently employ apprentices.
With the pandemic causing a decrease in apprenticeship starters, it is crucial that this changes, as micro and small firms play a vital role in driving the growth of apprenticeships.
With this in mind, and with 77% of employers stating they felt their apprentices became an asset within 2 years, we present five compelling reasons why businesses should consider hiring an apprentice.
- They bring a fresh perspective - Apprentices are usually young, eager to learn and energetic. They can bring new approaches to the workplace which could ultimately contribute to the productivity and morale of the workforce.
- It’s cost-effective - It’s typical for apprentices to be paid a lower wage than their fully-trained counterparts which can be an economical option for businesses. Additionally, many apprenticeship programs offer financial incentives and tax relief to organisations which participate.
- Train them to your specific business needs - Taking on an apprentice is an investment in the future of your business. With the ability to train them to your businesses unique needs and processes you are shaping your future by creating a loyal workforce which is invested in the success of the business.
- It’s good for community engagement - Recruiting apprentices can be a great way to engage with your local community by working with local groups and educational institutions to provide opportunities for the younger generation - it’s a great way to give back to the local community and establish a positive relationship with it.
- Increases productivity - An extra pair of hands, trained on the job, will ultimately improve productivity. Apprentices are eager to learn and can often look at problems with a fresh perspective and bring new ideas and ways of working to the table.
*Construction Apprenticeships, Challenges, Opportunities, Support - A CITB analysis Dec 2022
The Construction Skills Shortage and the Scaffolding Sector’s Missing Message The UK’s housing targets are under pressure. The construction sector faces a growing skills shortage, and as the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) recently highlighted, one of the root causes is alarmingly simple: young people aren’t hearing about careers in construction. But this problem runs even deeper than housebuilding. At National Scaffolding Week , we see how the lack of construction-focused careers advice affects the entire scaffolding and access sector. Scaffolding is the backbone of construction — from maintenance on heritage buildings to the delivery of modern megaprojects — yet the pathway into our industry remains under-promoted and often misunderstood. Breaking Down Barriers and Busting Myths Despite offering structured training, clear progression routes, and a wealth of skilled and professional opportunities, scaffolding still suffers from outdated stereotypes. Too many young people, teachers, and even parents see it as just a stopgap job, not the highly technical, safety-critical profession that it is. Scaffolding is so much more than tubes and boards. It's about design ingenuity, engineering precision, safety leadership, and project management excellence. It’s about problem-solving, teamwork, and making a visible difference to the world around us. Why Early Engagement Matters If we’re serious about tackling the skills shortage — and if we want to secure the future of the access and scaffolding sector — we need to start early. Careers advice in schools must reflect the real breadth of opportunities available across construction, including scaffolding. That means: Embedding scaffolding into careers education programmes. Creating engaging, relatable role models who can share their stories with young people. Showing the exciting projects and life-changing infrastructure that scaffolders help to make possible. National Scaffolding Week: Leading the Conversation Our mission at National Scaffolding Week is to make scaffolding visible, accessible, and aspirational. We’re here to champion the essential role our sector plays in building Britain — and to ensure that scaffolding is part of the careers conversation in every school and college. Because if young people can’t see it, they can’t be it. Let’s work together to showcase the skills, passion, and pride that drive the scaffolding industry — and inspire the next generation to help us build the future.
The #BeatMyScaffold2025 competition has officially concluded, celebrating some of the most innovative and well-executed scaffold designs from around the world. The contest, which showcased the skills and creativity of industry professionals, saw strong participation from scaffolding experts, judges, and voters alike.
Scaffolding transport comes with serious risks and getting it wrong can result in fines, vehicle prohibitions, loss of an operator’s license, and, more tragically, serious injuries or even fatalities. For this reason, the Scaffolding Association and the Road Haulage Association (RHA) have this week launched a brand-new Driver CPC training module, 'Safe Loading and Vehicle Checks for Scaffolders.' This course contributes to the required thirty-five hours of periodic Driver CPC training, mandatory for all professional HGV drivers. Failing to complete this training can result in being unable to legally drive. Robert Candy, Chief Executive of the Scaffolding Association, said: "Scaffolding transport is both high-risk and heavily regulated and getting it wrong can have devastating consequences. Poorly secured scaffolding loads can cause serious injuries, collisions and even fatalities. This new course equips drivers with the knowledge to prevent such incidents, protecting lives and protecting businesses from enforcement action and legal consequences.” Richard Smith, Managing Director of the RHA, said: "Load security is a priority for police and enforcement agencies who actively target non-compliant vehicles. There’s a moral obligation too as unsecured scaffolding and unsafe loads not only lead to penalties, but they also put lives at risk. This DVSA-approved course is designed specifically for scaffolding-related transport and equips drivers and businesses with the essential skills to stay compliant and safe. It arms drivers and businesses with the knowledge they need to prevent accidents, avoid fines, and protect the public." This Course Will Ensure: ● Drivers and operators fully understand the latest legislation ● Scaffolding materials are transported safely, securely, and legally ● Vehicles remain roadworthy and compliant with operator license requirements ● Businesses avoid costly enforcement action, fines, and prohibitions What Delegates Will Learn: ● Load Security – Key updates and who is responsible ● Staying Safe & Compliant – The right way to load scaffolding vehicles ● The Consequences of Getting It Wrong – Prohibitions, fines, and legal action ● Daily Vehicle Checks – What must be checked and how to record defects ● Defect & NIL Defect Reporting – Keeping vehicles roadworthy ● Enforcement Agencies – Their powers, documentation, and what to expect Who Needs to Book This Course? ● All professional HGV drivers transporting scaffolding ● Operators and supervisors responsible for loading & securing scaffolding materials ● Businesses that want to avoid enforcement action and protect their operator’s license For full course details including dates and locations, please visit: https://www.rha.uk.net/Training/England-Wales/Driver-CPC-Courses/-Safe-Loading-and-vehicle-checks-for-Scaffolders