It sounds as though in the past your recruitment methods have been established on too much of an ad-hoc basis, which works for some people but doesn’t provide the level of structure and support that many employers seek as standard.
Apprenticeship programmes
At this point in time, one of the fastest growing sources for recruiting at an entry level are apprenticeship programmes.
There are a number of reasons behind their popularity and success, the most obvious of which is down to their associated costs.
Because the scheme is funded by the government, there’s no recruitment fee, the apprentice’s expected salary is only £170 per week, and employers with fewer than 1,000 employees are eligible for a £3,000 grant.
Free training
For the first year, you get to choose the training that your new member of staff receives, again for free.
The benefit here is that you’re able to take a lesser-experienced member of staff and help to develop their skills directly around your needs.
With more than 1,400 types of apprenticeship role available from almost every sector imaginable, you’re guaranteed to be able to find an apprenticeship provider with expertise in your field, who in turn will be well-suited to finding your ideal candidate.
Visit the National Apprenticeship Service website for more information; they have an extensive FAQ section to answer any questions you might have about the programmes.