Working in Hospitality, people are the key to success; full-time, part-time, flexitime, and temps; the individuals that form your team propel you ahead of the competition. You may decide to take on apprentices as part of your staff; these members of your team require more attention than others.

Professional Academy offer apprenticeships in a number of industries including Hospitality, here are some of our top tips on how you can make the most of your apprentice while allowing them to grow within the industry:

Provide a framework

The majority of apprentices joining your business will be taking their first steps within the Hospitality sector; they require guidance and encouragement as they find their feet in the organisation. There will be a number of pressures on them, from the business, training provider and themselves personally hoping for a positive start in a new career.

By taking the time right at the start to develop a time schedule that they can follow you are helping to remove any doubts that could arise during their day. Ensure time is dedicated to the studies required by the apprenticeship provider as well as their daily tasks within the business.

Start small, build quickly

Unlike a fully trained employee who may be hired to join the team, an apprentice is only at the beginning of their journey so don't expect too much too soon. Start out by delegating simpler tasks, as time progresses adding to the workload. The aim is to stimulate their mind, not to alienate them by asking the impossible from their training level.

By the end of the apprenticeship course, your apprentice will have both the qualifications and experience required to make a real difference in their career.

Hire smart

If you've decided to take on an apprentice, great! You're providing an opportunity for someone to break into the industry you care about. However, you need to avoid simply hiring whoever shows up without serious thought. Every business in the world has a skills gap of some description, yours will be no different.

Before setting out to hire an apprentice, audit your business and find a weakness. While an apprentice won't be an immediate fix, they will in time grow into the role, building experience and ultimately the qualifications needed to act as an addition to your organisation.

Find the right fit

It's easy to forget that apprenticeships aren't exclusively for the younger generations, in 2016 there was a near even split in the number of 16 to 24-year-olds (56%) and those 25 or older (44%). While there is a difference in the funding systems, there's nothing to stop you from hiring an older apprentice, in some instances it can be beneficial from having someone you have more in common with.

At the end of the day personality and a base to build upon is vital when taking on an apprentice, it's easy to forget that just as you're trusting them, they're also relying on you to provide a conducive working environment that allows them to grow professionally and personally.

The decision to take on an apprentice can change not only your business but the life of an individual wishing to make a change in their career's destination. It's up to you to make the most out of your apprentice, but also to provide them with an environment that pushes them forward in their studies with encouragement and support.

Michael O'Flynn
Sales & Marketing Director
Professional Academy