With benefits ranging from a more diverse workforce and increased employee satisfaction, through to improved retention rates and happier clients, apprenticeship programmes are a proven way to help individuals progress in their careers while generating results for businesses large and small.

Firms that invest in apprenticeships – whether for new talent or upskilling existing employees – continue to see long-lasting rewards. For the apprentices themselves, they gain valuable expertise and experience in a profession that might otherwise have been difficult to access.

Savills currently has 227 people on apprenticeships across the business in every division, including Property Management, Building and Project Consultancy, Residential Sales, Rural Management, Valuations, Corporate Account Management, Marketing and IT.

This week is National Apprenticeship Week (5–9 February) – providing the perfect opportunity to shine a light on apprentices’ growing importance in the workplace.

Diverse talent

By offering the chance to earn while studying for a professional qualification, apprenticeships provide a more accessible path into certain careers without the financial burden of university. This allows businesses to recruit from a wider talent pool made up of people from different backgrounds – often bringing new ideas, fresh energy and another perspective to the workplace. Actively promoting inclusion and social mobility also helps create a more inclusive culture, supporting innovation and diversity of thought.

Practical experience

Apprenticeships help develop skills specific to an organisation or role. This makes them a great alternative to more traditional forms of learning which tend to be more generic. By the time they have passed their qualification, apprentices also have several years of ‘on the job’ practical experience which can often be a benefit for clients. In addition they will have built a strong professional network both inside and outside their organisation – cementing future relationships.

Professional development

Apprenticeships are not only for new starters. Existing employees can use them to learn extra skills – addressing gaps in the workforce and futureproofing a business. But they can also help current employees in other ways, giving individuals an opportunity to act as mentor or line manager. As well as improving confidence and aiding personal development this also often helps to promote collaboration and a strong team dynamic.

Staff retention

Apprenticeship programmes encourage individuals to consider their job as a career, often leading them to stay at a company for longer. At Savills our apprentices embed themselves in company culture, taking part in everything from sports teams and fundraising to attending networking events and client seminars – helping them to settle into their role. Upskilling existing employees also leads to a happier and more satisfied workforce, further improving staff retention and reducing recruitment costs.

Boost productivity

Employees who feel supported in their professional development tend to be more productive – helping drive performance and deliver value. Newly learned skills can be used to improve existing processes and perform tasks to a higher standard. More generally, apprentices can play a valuable role in the wider workforce, helping to support more senior colleagues when workloads increase unexpectedly.

The success of any business depends on equipping the right people with the right skills. With the correct support, apprenticeships provide an effective way to recruit and retain future talent, while helping businesses meet their wider goals.

Last year Savills ranked first in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers at the Rate My Apprenticeship Awards. You can find out more about our apprenticeship programme and current vacancies by clicking here.

Further information

Contact Chris Carrick or Serena Phillips