Keeping your apprentice or trainee engaged throughout their entire time with your organisation is an essential consideration for anyone looking to take on a new staff member.
After all, problems can easily arise when lines of communication break down, making this an important process to get right.
The good news for employers is that resources like Apprenticeship Central are available to help you with these challenges. As well as being the only Australia-wide website that connects potential apprentices and trainees with employers, Apprenticeship Central also has a range of helpful online resources.
This information covers a number of different aspects around retaining an apprentice. From getting the right job description to advice on communication, these resources can give you much needed support once your newest employee has started work.
To help with apprentice communication, here are a few further points that can make this relationship run smoothly.
Keep expectations clear
Right from the first day an apprentice or trainee starts with your organisation, you need to ensure they have access to the right levels of support for their activities. Failing to communicate the expectations and responsibilities they will have can easily harm the relationship you build with the employee.
Keeping expectations clear and concise while working with a new apprentice is an essential part of ensuring they are adequately supported, and that no confusion arises once they start work.
Arrange regular meetings
Maintaining regular one-on-one contact with an apprentice helps ensure that any issues can be addressed before they become major problems.
Regular meetings also offer an opportunity to further refine your expectations of an apprentice, as well as build a personal connection with them. This broader social contact can be just as important when it comes to engaging and retaining a new staff member.
Communicate with mentors too
Finally, it will pay to have regular meetings with the mentor or supervisor who is assigned to your apprentice or trainee. These meetings will give you a second perspective on how your apprentice or trainee is settling into their new role, along with any issues that might arise.
It’s possible that the worker who has been assigned as a mentor will be struggling with their own commitments as well. If this is the case, you can use this opportunity to provide them with greater support and resources. Making sure that mentors are effective in their role is going to be just as important as keeping in touch with your apprentice.
