Every year, millions of people tune in to watch 12 candidates fight for a highly coveted title and the chance to become Lord Sugar’s business partner. With each season, audiences have become increasingly blown away by the competitors’ lack of common sense as they perform everyday tasks associated with corporate jobs.
In the real world, apprentices play a much more valuable role.
Apprenticeships are more commonly associated with trade industries, as they have historically provided an opportunity for people to develop skills like plumbing, joinery and bricklaying, out with higher education and with the chance to earn as they learn.
Apprenticeships are typically attractive to those approaching the end of their high-school studies, who don’t want to sign up to university, but instead are eager to learn something new and get out into the real world!
The passion and “get-up-and-go" of many young apprentices is something definitely worth fuelling. Taking on an apprentice can lead to many benefits, such as:
- Providing opportunities for people to learn new skills
- Safeguarding the trades that our industry relies on
- Developing a skilled workforce in the local area
- Improving the quality of your service and product*
- Boosting productivity*
- Promoting diversity within businesses*
DEVELOPING THE YOUNG WORKFORCE
At Cairngorm, we believe in supporting the next generation of professionals in their career journeys. That’s why our Director, Chris, leads DYWICH (Developing Young Workforce Inverness & Central Highland) as their chairman.
DYW is a dynamic initiative designed to build strong working partnerships between education and industry, to instil the confidence in young people to gain relevant skills, access workplace opportunities, and build careers in local businesses. Their aim is to reinforce the links between learning and the world of work, preparing young people for the future and re-energising and diversifying the workplace.
One of the recent campaigns by DYW calls for local businesses to sign up to the Young Person’s Guarantee (YPG).
With staff shortages following the pandemic, the Young Person’s Guarantee offers a manageable structure for businesses to interact with young people and prepare them for work. Starting at a work experience placement, or even a summer job, can offer a great start for young people to begin a successful career!
In Chris’s own words, “by signing up to the Young Person’s Guarantee, we’re not only supporting young people in our local community – but we’re also safeguarding the future of our industry by ensuring that the Highlands is producing world-class tradespeople of the future”.
Want to get involved? Visit DYWICH today and see how your business can benefit from an apprentice or new recruit.
