Employing an apprentice
Discussion
As a sole trader, I'm now thinking the time is right to take on an apprentice (decorating).
Has anyone done this (in any trade?)
Any pointers as to cost - eg, pension, training etc
And where would one go to find someone suitable (it may 'only' be decorating, but I like to have an intelligent conversation of a snap time...)
Cheers
Has anyone done this (in any trade?)
Any pointers as to cost - eg, pension, training etc
And where would one go to find someone suitable (it may 'only' be decorating, but I like to have an intelligent conversation of a snap time...)
Cheers
I've had several over the past 4-5 years, all catering and all through the local college.
The advantage to you is another pair of hands and the fact that they are (on paper) cheap to employ. The disadvantage is unless you get an exceptional one you have to invest a lot of time in them in terms of work ad life skills.
Generally they are pretty young people and not always really aware of what the real world is like when they have to go to work.
Getting up and being in work for 8am was a shock for most of mine, as was working split shifts, or even (who would have thought it) working a weekend in a busy restaurant!
The college try to keep them going in the right direction and depending on age you get different issues. Hangovers, boy/girlfriend issues, spending work time of facebook, texting friends every 2 minutes. You can imagine.
2 of mine lasted a couple of months, one changed jobs but finished his apprenticeship and another started at 16 and at 18 was earning 17k, left after a year and got a better job, then changed again and now 3 years on is working in a Michelin star kitchen and has been on telly. Not bad for a kid with no other qualifications.
The advantage to you is another pair of hands and the fact that they are (on paper) cheap to employ. The disadvantage is unless you get an exceptional one you have to invest a lot of time in them in terms of work ad life skills.
Generally they are pretty young people and not always really aware of what the real world is like when they have to go to work.
Getting up and being in work for 8am was a shock for most of mine, as was working split shifts, or even (who would have thought it) working a weekend in a busy restaurant!
The college try to keep them going in the right direction and depending on age you get different issues. Hangovers, boy/girlfriend issues, spending work time of facebook, texting friends every 2 minutes. You can imagine.
2 of mine lasted a couple of months, one changed jobs but finished his apprenticeship and another started at 16 and at 18 was earning 17k, left after a year and got a better job, then changed again and now 3 years on is working in a Michelin star kitchen and has been on telly. Not bad for a kid with no other qualifications.
21TonyK said:
The advantage to you is another pair of hands and the fact that they are (on paper) cheap to employ.
Don't let them hear you say that. They'll end up resenting you.21TonyK said:
The college try to keep them going in the right direction and depending on age you get different issues. Hangovers, boy/girlfriend issues, spending work time of facebook, texting friends every 2 minutes. You can imagine.
Very true. We've got a now qualified lad who is terrible at his trade, won't listen to any help/advice, is still quite slow at his work. Why? Because he is constantly on his phone. Either on Facebook or texting his bird.21TonyK said:
2 of mine lasted a couple of months, one changed jobs but finished his apprenticeship and another started at 16 and at 18 was earning 17k, left after a year and got a better job, then changed again and now 3 years on is working in a Michelin star kitchen and has been on telly. Not bad for a kid with no other qualifications.
This. You could get a good one or a terrible one.We've had a few at work - the two lads in Cardiff are fine, and switched on, but the two we've had in Bristol have been a pain! One found that he just couldn't deal with customers, and the other has just left due to some personal issues (after having a week off sick previously when he got beaten up on a night out!). Nothing but issues with both of those being 16 year olds.
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