P14 Training:Layout 1 23/06/2021 17:06 Page 14 Training Could you help to mentor a trainee?
In 2020, the intense financial pressures placed on the UK economy saw many electrical businesses put their recruitment and growth plans on hold. Now, as restrictions continue to ease and the economy begins to grow again, ambitious electrical businesses can revisit these plans and continue to build and grow their business. Mick Fitzgerald, director, Options Skills, shares the growth benefits of recruiting a trainee for your business, including the skills you’ll need to become a successful mentor.
When’s the time right to add to your team?
1. Perhaps you’re finding yourself spending too much time working in the business and not enough time working on the business, or maybe your work-life balance isn’t how it should be.
2. You’re looking ahead to retirement – even if you’re not planning to retire for another 5 or 10 years, you might be starting to wonder how to continue your business after this.
3. You want to build on recent growth – you might have noticed your business has started to grow recently, and you’d like to capitalise on the momentum and keep it going.
The cost of recruitment In the UK, the average cost for hiring a new team member is £3,000, according to Glass Door. When using a recruitment agency, this cost will likely be even higher, with
TheUndercoverRectuiter.com stating the average fee sits around 20-30% of the new employee’s salary. These costs can deter growing electrical businesses from taking the leap of faith, dampening growth plans. However, recruitment doesn’t have to be expensive. Electrical trainees – those looking to build their practical skills portfolio while working towards their full qualification – are a cost-effective way to build your team, as some training providers will match you with the right trainee for your business with no associated cost. As a sole trader or electrical wholesale business owner, you will likely already have all the skills you need to successfully mentor a trainee:
Mick Fitzgerald
lTrade knowledge and experience – your first-hand ‘on the job’ experience is exactly what trainees need to support their portfolio development and build on the theory they’ve already learnt.
lDedication – if you enjoy your work, you’ll find it much easier to share your craft with a trainee, inspiring them to carry out their work enthusiastically and to the best of their ability.
lPatience and understanding – like any teacher, patience and understanding are essential skills. Trainees are keen to learn and develop their skills, so will often pick up the basics quickly.
lAmbition – if you’re driven to grow your business, you’ll have the motivation you need to work closely with trainees to build their skillset and enhance the quality of service they can offer to your customers.
What’s in it for you? Trainees are invested in their own growth – as they fund their own training, trainees are keen to learn and develop quickly. This makes them a committed and reliable addition to any team. Adult trainee means ‘adult attitudes’. They typically have lots of previous
work experience and will bring a mature attitude to the workplace. Adult trainees will often already have a range of soft skills, and training providers will often give additional support to develop these further. What’s more, the bigger your team, the wider your reach – meaning you
can service more customers and further your business growth. Leaving a learning legacy by helping to train the next generation is rewarding even after you retire. If you’re an experienced businessperson with a range of knowledge and
skills to share, you have what it takes to mentor junior team members and trainees, while growing your own business at the same time.
14 | electrical wholesalerJuly 2021
ewnews.co.uk
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