Householders hire builders who employ apprentices
Consumers prefer to hire firms that train apprentices, according to new research from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
On the first day of National Apprenticeship Week in England, this new research, based on responses from 2,000 home owners across the UK, reveals that:
- Almost two thirds of home owners would have a more favourable image of a building firm knowing they train apprentices
- Half of home owners would be more likely to actually hire a building firm knowing they train apprentices (all else being equal)
- More than two in five would be more likely to recommend a building firm to a friend or family member based on the fact they train apprentices
- Almost two thirds of homeowners think that building firms should highlight the fact that they are training the next generation of tradespeople in their marketing material
Brian Berry, chief executive of FMB, said: “This new research confirms what many of us already knew – apprentices are good for your business. The building industry is extremely competitive and these results suggest that training an apprentice will help a firm stand out from the crowd.
“Homeowners aren’t just concerned about the craftsmanship of their builder, they want to know they are hiring a firm with strong values. It therefore makes sense that a business that invests in young people is seen in a better light. If the burgeoning skills crisis in the construction industry wasn’t enough to motivate those firms not already training to start doing so, hopefully this evidence will do the trick.
“It’s helpful to know that apprenticeship training can not only provide rewarding career opportunities for young people, but it can also help a firm’s bottom line.”
Photo courtesy of Sierra.