EP Magazine

Apprentices more productive than new staff, say employers

Hospitality and travel and tourism employers believe that apprentices are head and shoulders above new staff when it comes to performance and productivity, a new industry survey from People 1st has revealed. Oksana Higglesden reports

The sector skills council for hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism found that employers significantly viewed apprentices as a catalyst for galvanising their fellow workers into raising their game and stepping up their performance.

Four in ten employers surveyed (41 percent) claimed that apprentices were far more productive than hiring new staff, while 49 percent said they made their businesses more competitive. When asked what value apprentices added to their business, employers were bowled over by their willingness to learn (90 percent) and enthusiasm (63 percent), as well as their flexibility and responsiveness to change (47 percent).

Considering the tangible benefits to sector businesses, the cost of hiring an apprentice seems to quickly pay for itself with a third (33 percent) of respondents recouping their costs within a year and a further 20 percent within 18 months. For many, Apprenticeships are becoming a seriously attractive business proposition. Last year, one in four sector employers took on an apprentice and 37 percent of those currently offering the scheme said they were considering increasing their  intake in the next  financial year. A staggering 60 percent of employers who had not previously offered Apprenticeships confirmed they were seriously considering  his option.

However, despite their interest, almost half (46 percent) are stumped by the Apprenticeship scheme process and how to go about taking on an apprentice.

The survey revealed that 53 percent of businesses found that, on average, apprentices stay up to two years within their organisation, while 27 percent stay for up to three years. Apprenticeships also aided businesses with their staff retention and some are using it as a recruitment tool.

Brian Wisdom, chief executive of People  1st, said: “Apprenticeships are the lifeblood of the hospitality, travel andtourism sectors and give employers access to a rich and cost-effective source of raw and enthusiastic talent within a very short period of time which they can mould and shape into tomorrow's future leaders.

“Without doubt, apprenticeship programmes encourage more talented young people into the business which, ultimately, should improve the quality of the  hospitality, travel and tourism workforce.”

His views are supported by Charles Prew, chief executive of Barcelo Hotels, who commented: “Apprenticeships are a solution to so many of our sector's recruitment and retention problems. At Barceló, we place huge importance on not just selecting the right people, but on looking after them and developing them as an integral part of our business. Apprenticeships are a key building block in creating a new generation of talent.”

He added: “Barceló UK has recently invested £500,000 in its Barceló Apprentice Chef Academy (BACA). We believe the BACA has enabled us to recruit young people with the most potential who are keen to pursue a career as chefs but until now have never had a chance. Our chefs currently taking part in the scheme are proving to be a real success. They are all motivated, ambitious with a passion to succeed. Following the training programme, we hope they will stay within Barceló UK and be our head chefs of tomorrow. We will shortly be offering our apprentices a UK Skills Passport which will assist in identifying gaps in the apprentices' knowledge to  ensure they keep moving up the career ladder."

TUI UK and Ireland's accredited programmes manager, Andy Smyth, confirmed that their own internal research chimed with People 1st's findings. “TUI UK and Ireland continues to be committed to offering a range of Apprenticeship programmes which have seen over 3,500 apprentices trained in the last five years.” 

To provide businesses with greater flexibility, People 1st will be launching new innovative hospitality and catering as well as travel services Apprenticeship frameworks in August 2010 which will feature a variety of specific units and progression routes. With these improved frameworks on the horizon, it could be a perfect time for  usinesses to invest in an apprentice.