Looking back 15 years, when we first embarked on setting up our own apprenticeship scheme, a question we often faced was: “Are apprenticeships really worth it?” Fast forward to today, and we can confidently say that creating our own scheme was one of the best investments we’ve ever made at The HEX Group—and every colleague would agree.

Here’s why your business should consider apprenticeships:

Bridging the Crucial Skills Gap

Like us, based in a small village in Staffordshire, many manufacturing and engineering businesses operate in remote areas, often requiring highly specialised skills. These factors combined can make recruitment a real challenge.

By bringing apprentices into your business, you ensure a steady pipeline of fresh talent and new perspectives. This is key to keeping up with technological advancements, as training can be continuously adapted to meet evolving industry needs.

A Cost-Effective Approach to Workforce Development

Training apprentices to meet your specific business needs is significantly more cost-effective than hiring fully qualified professionals. Developing talent from the ground up provides both financial and cultural benefits.

Loyalty is something that can’t be taught, yet it’s invaluable to an employer. Many of our former apprentices now hold senior positions within The HEX Group, and they share a deep-rooted commitment to the company. A dedicated workforce fosters a strong business community and reduces staff turnover—ultimately saving costs.

Enhancing Your Company’s Reputation

Few things showcase a company’s commitment to its employees better than running its own apprenticeship scheme. Businesses that invest in apprenticeships demonstrate a strong dedication to workforce development.

In an era where ‘hire and fire’ cultures are increasingly common, apprenticeships reflect a long-term investment in employees. This reassures current and prospective customers, suppliers, and employees that your business values stability and growth.

How We Can Help

Despite the clear advantages, many businesses hesitate to start their own apprenticeship schemes due to administrative complexities and uncertainty about where to begin. That’s exactly why we created our Managed Apprenticeship Scheme—a fully supported, hassle-free solution that allows you to reap the benefits of apprenticeships without the burden of HR and training logistics.

At The HEX Group, we take care of everything—from recruitment and onboarding to ongoing development—so you can focus on growing your business while building a skilled, committed workforce.

Ready to future-proof your team? Get in touch with us to learn more.