Employers who have taken on
apprentices report decreases
in staff turnover and a
positive working culture
According to a recent survey the fundamentals offered. Couchman says it’s essential to
conducted on behalf of the Learning and There are two ways to run an fi nd a training provider that “understands
Skills Council (LSC) by Populus, 87 per apprenticeship scheme: work with an your business needs and is willing to
cent of leisure companies say apprentices established training provider or become work with you to deliver the niche
boost overall productivity, while 63 per an established provider. Leisure trust training,” adding that it must work with
cent say they are more cost-effective than North Country Leisure (NCL) took the the employer from the very beginning.
hiring fully-qualifi ed staff as it reduces latter option, but CEO John Maude says Heather Frankham, CEO of training
recruitment and training costs. Nearly it’s an “elaborate” process that may be provider Lifetime, agrees: “A lot of
three-quarters of respondents also say right for larger employers, but not for all. learning providers have a certain amount
apprenticeships produce better calibre The former is a much simpler route: the of funding and target potential apprentices
job applicants and fi ll vacancies quicker. employer provides the apprenticeship that meet the criteria for this funding. As
Apart from an apprentice’s contracted placement and the training provider a result, the training they provide doesn’t
wage of £80 a week for the fi rst year – tailors and delivers the programme. always meet employer’s needs.”
rising to £90 on 1 August – the biggest A suitable training provider can be Training providers can also help
operating cost is the time taken by HR or sourced either through a regional LSC to source suitable apprentices for an
a facility manager to set up the scheme. or a skills broker such as Train to Gain employer’s programme, if it’s new
Funding can be sourced from the LSC or the National Skills Academy for Sport recruits they’re after. Most providers
to cover the expense of administration and Active Leisure (NSA), set up by will pre-screen people, delivering
and workplace assessments (required SkillsActive. While a training provider candidates who meet the fi rm’s profi le
for an apprentice to complete a National will work with the employer to develop and who have the right soft skills,
Vocational Qualifi cation, or NVQ). a suitable programme, contacting a motivation and an aptitude for fi tness.
The amount of fi nancial support broker is a good fi rst step to help The process is set to become a lot
depends on the age and circumstances identify skills gaps and to discuss how an simpler with the launch of an online
of the apprentice, and in some cases apprenticeship could be tailored to meet database – the National Apprenticeship
employer contributions may be needed. the company’s needs. Service – which matches employer
Help towards wage costs may also be It’s worth looking at more than one profi les with apprentices. Once deemed
available through regeneration funds. training provider to evaluate what’s compatible, the employer and provider
may 2009 © cybertrek 2009 Read Health Club Management online 55
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital
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