We asked 322 HR managers if they used apprentice programs as a way to recruit new workers. Here’s what they told us.
We asked: Do you use any apprentice program to recruit new employees? They responded:
Yes: 18%
No: 80%
Thinking about it: 2%
Experts say apprenticeships and internships are a great way to find new people. You can test the waters without the risk involved with hiring someone fulltime. It lets you see how someone fits in with the company, it’s a good way to attract the attention of young talent before they’ve even finished school.
A lot of companies offer those programs, but not all of them are designed with recruiting in mind. To make sure your program is useful for finding great employees — instead of just getting cheap labor — make sure you:
Give interns real work: Having someone fetch coffee for a summer is a good way to turn them off to your organization.
Introduce them to key people: Organize a lunch with your interns and the CEO or other senior individuals so they can talk about the company.
Be upfront about full time work: If you want to offer someone a full time position, let them know as soon as possible. If not, let them know if you’ll consider them for any positions in the future and give them constructive feedback about what you look for in full time employees.
