Letting agents are being urged to consider hiring more apprentices as young people face a challenging jobs market.

The benefits of hiring apprentices include providing increased support for a growing business, fresh ideas and the opportunity to grow a member of staff for the future, while existing employees can also learn from the new and enthusiastic recruits, according to The Letting Partnership, the specialist provider of services to the industry.

Government grants, such as the recently launched Kickstart Scheme, are available to businesses, providing funding for employers to create new six-month job placements for young people aged 16 to 24.

Until the end of January 2021, additional government funded incentives are also available to businesses which take on apprentices.

Jenny Markham, CEO of The Letting Partnership, said: “The lettings industry is the kind of environment which would suit apprentices and there are opportunities for progression. By the time they complete the apprenticeship thanks to the rigours of the course and our inhouse training programme, they are competent and confident staff members ready to take on responsibility and sometimes seniority on the team.”

The Letting Partnership recently hired three apprentices after it witnessed a surge in demand for its outsourced client accounting and Client Money Protection services this year.

The Letting Partnership’s new apprentices are supporting its ambitions to grow and have brought a fresh dynamic to the team, according to Markham.

She said: “We have had incredible feedback from our clients about our apprentices in their first few months and they already feel like part of the team.

“It has been a privilege to offer these hard working, intelligent and enthusiastic young people from Greater Brighton Metropolitan College a platform to excel in such a difficult jobs market.

“It is giving us so much joy to nurture their professional careers, but their arrival is helping us to successfully navigate our recent expansion to meet the demands of the letting industry.”

Markham added: “We’re calling on the lettings industry to think about what it can do to support young people, but we also want them to think about the benefits for their businesses of hiring apprentices.”