Benefits

Whether you're thinking about taking on an apprentice, or interested in taking an apprenticeship yourself, there are plenty of reasons to do it!

Benefits for employers

• Boost your bottom line
  A People 1st survey revealed that four in ten employers find apprentices far more productive than hiring new staff, while 49 percent said they made their businesses more competitive.
• Fill your skills gaps
  Apprenticeships deliver skills designed around your business needs providing the skilled workers you need for the future. They also help you develop the specialist skills you need to keep pace with the latest technology and working practices in your industry.
• Value for money
  The cost of hiring an apprentice quickly pays for itself. A third of People 1st's survey respondents recouped their costs within a year and a further 20 percent within 18 months.
• Motivate your workforce
  Apprentices tend to be eager, motivated, flexible and loyal to the company that invested in them. Remember, an apprentice is with you because they want to be – they have made an active choice to learn on the job and a commitment to a specific career.
• Take advantage of major opportunities
  The UK's hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industry will need a fully-skilled workforce to deal with the number of visitors expected for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and other world-class events including the 2014 Ryder Cup and Commonwealth Games and the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Apprenticeships focus on key areas for the future development of our national tourism product, so taking on apprentices now is an ideal way to ensure your business is prepared and can capitalise on the opportunities ahead.

Benefits for apprentices

• Better prospects
  Because apprenticeships train you in the skills businesses want, you'll have a wealth of options open to you. When you've ?nished you can carry on working, maybe get promoted or go on to higher education at college or university.
• Support during training
  Your employer or training provider will make sure you have support. Their job is to ensure that your training fits your personal requirements, offers the skills needed for the job and satisfies national standards. They will also be there to help you through any difficult times.
• Get nationally-recognised qualifications
  As well as gaining practical skills through real workplace experience, you'll gain A work-based qualification, such as a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at either level 2 or 3, and a technical qualification, such as a BTEC.
• Earn while you learn
  As an apprentice, you'll get paid while learning on-the job. And it doesn't stop there - research shows that apprentices earn, on average, over £100,000 more throughout their lifetime than other employees!

To find out more about the benefits of apprenticeships in hospitality and travel, and how you can get involved, visit www.uksp.co.uk/apprentice