As the tech sector continues to thrive and the demand for digital skills grows, apprenticeships are proving to be a vital way of combatting the digital skills gap. With so many training providers offering apprenticeship programmes, it can be difficult to know how the hiring process might work for you.
In this blog, we provide a complete breakdown of our recruitment process so you know what to expect when you hire an apprentice with Baltic!
To find out more about how to employ an apprentice more generally, check out our complete guide to employing an apprentice – from choosing a programme to selecting the perfect candidate.
STEP 1: MEET YOUR EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT MANAGER
The first step to hiring an apprentice is a discussion around how apprenticeships might fit into your team with one of our friendly Employer Engagement Managers. They are based nationwide and can meet over a cup of coffee in your office, at one of our regional hubs, or over Microsoft Teams.
They will guide you through the process of hiring an apprentice, and discuss your requirements in detail completing the necessary paperwork to get the ball rolling.
STEP 2: CHECK IN WITH YOUR RECRUITMENT CONSULTANT
At Baltic, we pride ourselves on taking a personalised approach to recruitment. You will work alongside a specialist Recruitment Consultant to help you find the right candidates for your apprenticeship opportunity. This process is completely free of charge. They’ll schedule an introduction call to learn more about the job role and the kind of person you’re looking for, and then the excitement begins.
STEP 3: YOUR VACANCY GOES LIVE
Our Recruitment Consultants will create a job description based on your specific requirements and discuss the candidates best suited to your business.
Our apprenticeship vacancies are advertised on national and local job boards, on the National Apprenticeship Service website, and some opportunities are shared on our social media platforms. We also have a talent pool of amazing candidates ready and waiting to start their career – so you may not even have to advertise at all!
STEP 4: WE SCREEN YOUR CANDIDATES
In a nutshell, the screening process ensures candidates are eligible for the apprenticeship they have applied for, and that they would be a great fit for your business. As apprenticeships are funded by the Government, specific eligibility criteria must be met to enrol. Candidates also have to meet minimum grading requirements set by us to make sure they are able to complete the apprenticeship.
STEP 5: IT’S TIME TO INTERVIEW
Your Recruitment Consultant will recommend the candidates most suited to your role, but you have the final say over who you would like to interview. During the interview process, it is important to manage your expectations and design your questions around soft skills and technical potential. The candidates won’t have leaps and bounds of industry experience, but they should more than make up for this in their passion, enthusiasm, and attitude to learning.
Related Content: How to Interview an Apprentice
STeP 6: CONDUCT A WORK TRIAL
To help make your final decision on the perfect candidate, we encourage a 1-2 day work trial. This is less formal than the initial interview stage, and allows both yourself and the candidate to see how you could work together. At work trial, we suggest you allow candidates to spend time with their mentor, meet the team, and job shadow.
STEP 7: HIRE YOUR NEW APPRENTICE
After conducting interviews and a work trial, you should have a good idea of who you wish to offer the role to. Our Recruitment Consultants will follow up each interview, asking for feedback to help each candidate grow and improve. When you make your final decision, we will offer the position to your new apprentice and agree on a start date.
And that’s it – your recruitment journey is complete, and your new apprentice is ready to start!
NEXT STEPS
We understand that you may have questions throughout the apprenticeship journey, so we’ll be there to offer support at every stage. From day one, you will be assigned a dedicated Account Relationship Manager who will contact you at regular intervals throughout the programme, they will discuss your apprentice’s progression as well as any additional requirements in your team or the wider business.
We pride ourselves on our high levels of customer service and personalised approach to recruitment but don’t just take our word for it, read our business case studies. Alternatively, if you are ready to take the first step in hiring an apprentice, get in touch with our team today.