Businesses are facing challenges like never before as they emerge from lockdown. Staff have been furloughed or departed, critical skills and expertise have been lost, income decimated and budgets slashed.
In such circumstances, it is often the case that investment in training is the first casualty and the last consideration, as businesses seek to adapt, respond and in some cases simply survive.
However, whilst this is an understandable reaction, it is also dangerous path, and the fact is that training and development doesn’t have to cost anything. The Welsh Government has long recognised the importance of investment in such areas, and as an approved provider, Gower College Swansea is one of a number of Further Education establishments that has access to a variety of initiatives designed to support businesses with their learning and development strategies, with no direct cost.
One of the central pillars of this provision is the fully funded apprenticeship. It used to be the case that apprenticeships were the domain of school leavers, but whilst these ‘traditional’ apprenticeships are still very popular, it is also the case that existing employees are developing their knowledge and skills by undertaking an apprenticeship. For this reason, there is a vast choice of apprenticeships across a range of sectors, subjects and levels that are designed to meet the needs of employers and employees alike.
In the present economic climate, both of these scenarios, namely an apprenticeship for the new recruit or existing employee, have great relevance. With overheads needing to be tightly controlled, companies may no longer wish to outsource certain requirements, and may need to develop capabilities in-house by having existing staff develop additional skills. Alternatively, some specialist staff may have left the business, meaning that someone else needs to acquire the skills necessary to fill the gap, or an employee may simply want to expand their role.
The recruiting of a new apprentice could also be a very expedient and pragmatic way of growing your business. With a vast number of people seeking employment opportunities and work experience, an apprenticeship can be a very attractive route into a career, and a great benefit to the business.
Whatever the reason, an apprenticeship is definitely worth considering and its cost is fully funded.
Furthermore, Better Jobs, Better Futures, an employability initiative that is part of Gower College, can help with any recruitment needs and apprentice sourcing, providing a free service in support of businesses.
In addition to apprenticeships, and as an alternative route to recognised qualifications, the College is able to access a number of other Welsh Government funding initiatives, such as Skills for Industry, which delivers 100% funded courses, including leadership and management, coaching and mentoring, business administration, ICT and many more. Previously, an employer contribution would have been required to the cost of the qualification. ‘Too good to be true’? Well, actually no, but the time to take advantage is now since there’s no knowing how long this arrangement will last.
So, despite these tough economic times, the development of your staff and the growth of your business can still go hand in hand at no cost.
Help is at hand, just reach out and ask.