How an Apprentice Can Lower the Risk of a Costly Bad Hire

Key Takeaways

• The cost of a bad hire includes wages, lost time, rework and the effect on your team, not only the recruitment fee.
• An apprentice is trained to your standards from the start, which lowers some of the risks of hiring an experienced stranger.
• An apprentice is not risk-free. A poor fit can still happen, so plan supervision and review.
• Group training can share the administrative load, because the group training organisation is the employer.
• Be clear about what you need before you hire anyone.

Introduction

The cost of a bad hire is easy to underestimate. You pay for the advertising and interviews, then for wages while the person learns your systems, and then for mistakes, rework and the time of everyone who has to cover. Future1st is a Melbourne group training organisation that recruits, employs and places apprentices and trainees with businesses in Victoria.

This article looks at how hiring an apprentice can reduce some of that risk, and where it cannot. For the general cost picture, read What is the Cost of Hiring an Apprentice?.

What a Bad Hire Actually Costs

Count more than the wage.

• Advertising, interview time and any agency fees.
• Time spent on onboarding and training.
• Wages and superannuation while the person is not performing.
• Mistakes, rework and damage to tools or materials.
• Customer complaints or lost work.
• The cost of ending the employment and starting again.

Some of these are hard to put a number on, but they add up.

The Effect on Your Existing Team

A poor hire also affects the people around them.

• Good staff pick up extra work to cover problems.
• Frustration grows if standards slip and nobody deals with it.
• Tired, resentful workers may start looking elsewhere.
• You end up recruiting again.

For a small business, one unhappy person can change how the whole workplace feels.

Where Hiring Risk Comes From

Experienced candidates can look strong on paper, but a resume only tells part of the story.

• Habits from earlier jobs may not suit how you work.
• Skills may be stronger on paper than in practice.
• Attitude to teamwork and customers is hard to judge in an interview.

None of this means experienced hires are a bad idea. It means every hire carries some uncertainty.

How an Apprentice Changes the Risk

An apprentice starts with less experience, so you teach them how you work from the first day.

• You shape their habits and standards.
• The qualification gives their learning a structure.
• Their progress is visible, because you see them work every day.
• With a group training arrangement, Future1st employs the apprentice and handles payroll and training administration, so you can focus on supervision.
• Government support may be available for employers. It changes, so check the employer financial support page.

Read more about understanding the ROI of hiring apprentices and about custom-moulding your next high performer.

What an Apprentice Does Not Fix

Be honest about the limits.

• An apprentice needs time and patient supervision.
• They can be a poor fit like anyone else.
• They cannot cover work that requires an experienced person.
• Some leave before they finish.

You reduce these risks by choosing carefully, supervising well and speaking up early if something is not working.

Steps to Reduce Hiring Risk

• Decide which tasks the apprentice will do and who will teach them.
• Pick a mentor who is patient and reliable.
• Write a simple training plan for the first weeks and months.
• Hold regular check-ins and give clear feedback.
• Contact Future1st early if the placement is not going well. Field officers visit workplaces and training institutes to monitor progress.

Questions to Ask Before You Hire

Whoever you hire, a few questions make the decision sounder.

• What will this person do in the first month, and who will show them?
• Which skills do we need on day one, and which can we teach?
• What does a good first year look like, and how will we know?
• If it is not working, who will raise it, and when?
• Do we have the time and the right mentor right now?

If the honest answer to the last question is no, wait until you do. A well-timed hire is cheaper than a rushed one.

You may also want to read Hiring an Apprentice for Future Leadership and Build Talent Pipeline Resilience Through Apprenticeships.

Related Resources

• Understanding The ROI Of Hiring Apprentices
• Close The Skills Gap: Custom-Mold Your Next High Performer
• Hiring an Apprentice for Future Leadership
• Build Talent Pipeline Resilience Through Apprenticeships
• Hire an apprentice with Future1st

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of a bad hire?

It includes wages, recruitment, training time, mistakes, lost work and the effect on your team.

Does an apprentice remove hiring risk?

No, but it changes it. You train the person your way and see their progress as they learn.

Is an apprentice cheaper than an experienced worker?

Pay depends on the award or agreement, and experience affects what is paid. Check the Fair Work pay page for current rates.

What if I do not have time to train?

Training takes time. Plan it into the roster and choose a mentor. Future1st can discuss what support is available.

What if the placement is not working?

Speak with your Future1st contact early. We can look at the situation and talk through the options.

Hire With Your Eyes Open

A bad hire is costly, and no model removes the risk, but supervised training gives you more control over how a new person develops. To discuss hosting an apprentice, see hire an apprentice with Future1st or call (03) 9656 9797.