According to LinkedIn data, employees without a traditional four-year degree stay at companies 34% longer than those with a bachelor’s degree. Those employees often started in entry-level positions; by providing those workers with opportunities to learn and grow via apprenticeships, skills training, and mentoring, they will likely be even more engaged, motivated, and satisfied with their employer. Extensive research overwhelmingly concludes that training is one of the most important factors in retaining employees.
Additionally, hiring apprentices amplifies the benefits that entry-level employees bring to an organization. Those benefits include new ideas and a fresh perspective, reduced staffing costs, and the opportunity to develop entry-level employees so that they can grow into more senior positions.
According to an article by Insight Global, “When you hire entry-level employees, you open the door to opportunities for your existing employees to serve as mentors. Employees who participate in mentorship programs are 49% less likely to leave their current employer, making it advantageous to both your recruitment and retention strategy. Not only will this help improve retention, but it can help communicate that your company has a culture of nurturing and growing talent from within.”
Other benefits of apprenticeship programs for employers include:
- Develops a company’s talent pipeline.
- Increases employee loyalty and reduces turnover.
- Fills a company’s skills gap.
- Ensures transfer of knowledge and best practices from senior staff to new hires.
- Lowers long-term recruitment, onboarding, and training costs.
- Demonstrates investment in the local community and workforce.
Benefits for apprentices include:
- Participants gain relevant job knowledge and industry-aligned training from experts in the field.
- Once the apprenticeship is complete, workers are on their way to a successful long-term career with a competitive salary, while incurring little or no educational debt.
- No experience is required to participate. Typical minimum requires include a high school diploma or GED and passing a background check.
- Participants can earn-while-they learn.
- Job candidates with real, hands-on experience are more valued than those without relevant experience.
Apprenticeships aid diversity and inclusion efforts
Apprenticeships help companies establish a new, broader, and diverse talent pool beyond traditional college recruitment. Why does diversity and inclusion matter? Organizations that actively promote and attain diversity and inclusion in the workplace are simultaneously creating brand value that reflects the values of the community, employees, potential hires, and customers. According to an article by Deloitte titled Repairing the pipeline: Perspectives on diversity and inclusion in IT, “Companies with solid DE&I cultures are twice as likely to meet or exceed financial targets as those without, three times as likely to be high-performing, six times more likely to be innovative and agile, and eight times more likely to achieve better business outcomes.”
Learn more about Waterworkforce’s new water industry apprenticeship program.
Interested in apprenticeship opportunities in the water distribution and treatment industry?
Contact:
Myranda Kelly
Administrative Coordinator
Email: myrandak@waterworkforce