Why Hiring Apprentices is a Unique Skill
Traditional recruitment methods are well known – so much so that many companies will often choose to hire directly to reduce the cost of outsourcing.
And, while that approach may work out for typical white-collar or ‘corporate’ roles, searching and selecting talent to commence a trade apprenticeship is a whole other ballgame.
Candidates looking for an apprenticeship often will often not be able to provide the usual depth to an application when compared with a worker who can demonstrate years of experience and achievements.
This is because a significant number of future apprentices are either recent school leavers, or early school leavers (finishing up to Year 10 of secondary school).
But here’s the thing. A lack of demonstrable work experience does not equal an absence of talent or aptitude.
Our MiRecruit team are specialist trades recruiters that have been sourcing and placing apprentices and trainees in roles for more than 35 years. It’s furnished us with a deep expertise in identifying the attributes of a successful apprentice and future tradie.
The selection of unsuitable apprentice candidates results in lower completion rates in some trades, in turn costing the business for each failed placement – in terms of lost time, retraining costs, and reduced output.
MiRecruit’s specialised assessment process is designed to identify whether an apprenticeship candidate:
- Has a natural aptitude for practical, hands-on work
- Can think critically and laterally to solve problems
- Is alert and to safety considerations with good risk management tendencies
- Is ‘teachable’, open to feedback, with a growth mindset
- Can communicate with others and fit in with a team
- Has a genuine interest in the trade discipline
Our knowledge of trade industries and the regulatory framework of Australian Apprenticeships enables MiRecruit to guide employers around the common mistakes made in the direct recruitment of apprentices.
The Hidden Complexities of Apprentice Recruitment
Positive Impact on Business
- Hiring apprentices can contribute to a company's bottom line by providing a skilled workforce learning specific skills tailored to the business needs, leading to improved productivity and improved quality of work.
- Hiring apprentices builds a talent pipeline, reducing the need to constantly recruit new employees for entry-level positions.
- Apprentices often demonstrate loyalty to the company that trained them, leading to increased retention rates.
- The Australian government provides various financial incentives to employers who take on apprentices, potentially lowering the overall cost of training.
Beyond Standard Recruitment
Apprentice recruitment is often subject to specific requirements. For instance, every commencing apprentice requires a certified Training Contract (different from an employment contract), the selection of a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), and comprehensive induction to meet workplace health and safety obligations.
MiRecruit is here to assist employers with these requirements as part of an holistic approach to recruitment and onboarding of apprentices.
Snapshot of Our Recruitment Approach
- Consulting with you to develop a clear job brief – telling us exactly who you’re looking for
- Targeted candidate attraction strategies and drawing on our significant apprentice candidate talent pools
- Aptitude and practical skills assessment relevant to the trade discipline
- Character and behaviour regarding the safety evaluation of the candidate
- Compliance and documentation referrals
- Post-placement support and placement guarantee
Get in touch with MiRecruit for a no-obligation quote today.
MiRecruit is the specialist apprentice and trade recruitment service of MIGAS Apprentices & Trainees.
