Apprenticeships

5 benefits of upskilling your team through Apprenticeships

IT Apprenticeships can help you onboard talented staff. Don't miss this opportunity!

Phoebe Savvides & Bob Armstrong

01 February, 2025

With companies struggling to recruit staff with the right tech skills, developing those skills in-house looks like an attractive option. Apprenticeships offer companies a cost-effective way to retrain staff in the IT skills that are most in demand; they can be an excellent investment for both you and your company.

Here are 5 benefits of upskilling your team through Apprenticeships.

1. Healthier ROI

Offering staff the chance to undertake an Apprenticeship will not only bring new energy, enthusiasm, and skills to your company but, according to research, also deliver significant returns on investment. In a recent study by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), companies with apprentices reported big financial gains: on average, every pound invested in a Level 3 Apprenticeship resulted in a £28 return for the company.

2. Improved productivity

The modules that apprentices study during their programme, also called Apprenticeship Standards, focus on practical skills that are in demand in your industry. The more skilled your workforce becomes, the greater the contribution they can make to your company.

3. Recognised certifications

At the end of their training, apprentices can sit exams and receive certifications recognised worldwide.

At Firebrand, our Apprenticeships include globally recognised qualifications, such as:

These certifications attest to your staff's knowledge and establish your company as a credible player in your industry.

4. Employee loyalty

Apprenticeships are an effective way to retain employees for the long term. By investing in your employees’ ongoing training, you’re demonstrating that you’re committed to their development and well-being.

For example, you may discover that a member of your team is keen to obtain a formal qualification in an area of special interest to them, or that an employee is driven to learn something new in order to progress to a different role.

By investing in the relevant Apprenticeship to help them achieve their goals, you’re not only helping them personally but adding significant value to your company.

Also, incorporating Apprenticeships into your company signals to your industry that you have a culture of learning and growth, all of which can make you more attractive to new talent. It's win-win!

5. Lower training costs

Apprenticeships are Government-funded work-based training programmes that combine on-the-job training with nationally recognised qualifications. Apprenticeship training costs depend on the programme chosen, the training provider, and the size of your organisation.

For many small to medium-sized organisations, you may only have to pay up to 5% of the total training cost, with the rest funded by Government grants. Larger organisations, who pay the Apprenticeship Levy, will have the cost of training deducted from their levy account every month.

If you opt to upskill your existing staff via Apprenticeships, you won’t have to recruit new apprentices, so you won’t have to pay any recruitment fees either. At Firebrand, we provide Online Instructor-Led Training, helping you cut costs on employee travel and expenses too.

Ready to upskill your team?

According to the Apprenticeships Evaluation Employers Research Report, 83% of employers say they would recommend Apprenticeships to others. Could they be right for your business? Find out more about how we do Apprenticeships at Firebrand and get in touch for advice.