Taking on an apprentice is a big commitment with big potential. How can you get the most value out of your investment?

Some of the UK’s most-respected companies share their advice on finding, training, and retaining the best talent:

Recruit far and wide

‘Attraction plans must be comprehensive and target a diverse audience to ensure a talent pipeline into industry and to address future skills needs.’ Bentley Motors

‘A CV full of A grades doesn’t necessarily make a good apprentice. A strong work ethic, eagerness to learn and a desire to do a good job are more important.’ Dale Power Solutions Ltd

Deliver well-rounded training

‘We have realised that developing technical skills is not enough. By placing emphasis on also developing mindsets we have created apprentices who are not only technically qualified, they also act as change ambassadors within our organisation.’ Babcock International Group

Embed real value – for you and for them

‘Our early professionals are appraised on their ability to deliver value to our clients. Our programmes ensure that learners develop client-facing skills and this is put into business practice with immediate effect.’ IBM UK

Consider your future pipeline

‘Our first 12 apprentices all still work for the company and six of these are part of our management team. We believe in up-skilling apprentices and developing them into the supervisors, team leaders and directors of the business.’ A&G Precision & Sons (Aerospace engineering)

‘Even 10 years after completing their apprenticeships, we retain 85% as highly-valued technicians and professional engineers.’ XTRAC (Motorsport engineering)

Share what works

‘We work closely with other companies and government departments to share best practice. This helps to drive up standards across the industry.’ BAE Systems

‘As everyone in the industry knows, hospitality can be a very competitive market for recruitment but the hotels were able to put this to one side in order to create something really special and work together towards a bigger goal.’ Apprenticeship in Hospitality Scotland

These employers are all Princess Royal Training Awards recipients. Applications now open until March 2020 >

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