How hiring students can help your business modernise and grow

Recruiting the right staff for your small business can be challenging. You're having to hire while dealing with limited budgets, changing workloads and the need to identify qualified candidates.

But have you considered that you might be overlooking a valuable and affordable pool of talent in students?

Students are energetic, enthusiastic and ready to learn. And because they're usually searching for part-time, flexible work that fits around their education, they're perfect for small businesses that need adaptable staff.

On top of that, many students are skilled with technology, inventive and bring fresh ideas that can modernise and develop a business.

In this blog, we explore the big advantages of hiring students, provide useful guidance on how to properly recruit and manage them, and answer typical questions that small business owners may have.

The main benefits of hiring students

They're affordable

One of the biggest advantages of employing students is their cost.

Recruiting them can make less of a dent in your budget than with full-time staff given they're typically searching for part-time, seasonal or temporary work.

There are also financial incentives that can make hiring students even more affordable. Government-backed apprenticeship programmes subsidise training, while internships come with financial backing from universities.

If you hire people under the age of 25, you might qualify for National Insurance relief (Employment Allowance), which can bring down your payroll expenses.

They're flexible

It's natural for many small businesses to have busy and quiet spells, whether it's in the shape of more demanding weekends, holiday surges or seasonal peaks.

This is where students come into their own as potential employees, since they're generally available for evening and weekend shifts. They're also tailor-made for businesses that operate in retail, hospitality or customer service.

Out of term time, they could be available for longer periods, providing much-needed support when you're at your busiest.

Because they're free to work short-term contracts or come on board for a single project, for example, they're ideal if you need temporary help without having to commit to someone full time.

They're skilled

Students bring valuable knowledge that might aid your business in ways you're not expecting.

Many are highly competent at digital marketing, social media or creating content – qualities that today's businesses are requiring more and more.

Others might be skilled at IT or data analysis, or possess creative talents in areas such as graphic design or video editing.

Drawing on this expertise lets you tap into new ideas and technical knowhow without having to fork out for expensive consultants.

They're potentially part of your future

By hiring students, you can begin to create a future talent pool. Many businesses find that students who first join as part-time staff or interns go on to be full-time workers after they graduate.

When this happens, you're starting to build a workforce that's already familiar with your company culture and how you operate – which helps keep your recruitment costs down.

Establishing a reputation as a business that helps students can also boost your brand and make you more attractive as a future employer for the next batch of graduates.

Practical tips for successfully hiring students

Finding candidates

If you're thinking about hiring students, you need to know where to find suitable candidates.

A good starting point is with universities and colleges, who tend to have job boards and careers services that connect students with employers.

University careers fairs are also a smart way to meet possible candidates and advertise the opportunities you have for students.

As well as that, there are online job websites you can use to promote available work to student jobseekers – such as Unibeez, Indeed, LinkedIn and StudentJob UK.

Providing flexibility

Make sure that whatever roles you're offering students have a good deal of flexibility.

Short-term contracts, evening or weekend jobs and part-time employment will draw applicants who need to balance work with their studies.

Some students may have a preference for remote or hybrid work, especially if the role involves digital or content marketing or admin.

Giving students a well-defined position, and a clear idea of what you expect from them, can help you form a good working relationship and equip them for success.

Making the most of their abilities

Rather than give students only the simplest admin tasks to carry out, think about how you can make the most of the specific skills these young employees bring with them.

Students who are doing courses in business, marketing or IT can be an immediate help when it comes to data analysis, developing social media campaigns or creating sales plans.

At the same time, others who are studying creative disciplines like media production or graphic design could support with producing marketing materials or improving your company's branding.

Matching students to tasks that suit their academic background and interests will lead to much stronger results, as well as keeping your workforce fully engaged.

Keeping to the relevant laws and regulations

Before you bring any students into your business, you must be clear on your responsibilities according to the current employment legislation and rules on pay.

You must make sure that you're paying students at least the National Minimum Wage, which varies based on age.

You should also consider working hours, especially for international students whose visa restrictions place a cap on the number of hours they can work each week.

Even if you're only recruiting for a part-time or temporary position, providing the employee with a written employment contract that sets out working hours, salary and duties will help make sure you're abiding by the law.

VIDEO: Success stories of hiring students and apprentices

A webinar on how businesses can access young talent, what students and graduates look for in job opportunities, and how apprenticeships can benefit small businesses in the long run:

Typical problems with hiring students – and how to solve them

Inexperience

One student-related issue that business owners often worry about is the lack of experience.

Although many students can't boast long employment histories, they do typically have transferable skills that they've acquired through their studies, volunteer work or extracurricular activities.

Many are fast learners who, with the right direction, can fit into a workplace and start carrying out their duties.

By issuing clear instructions, providing training and starting them on basic tasks, you can boost their confidence and skills.

Scheduling

A second concern often expressed is that a student's academic obligations could make it hard to fit them into a staffing rota.

But with careful preparation and good communication, you can easily work around this problem.

When bringing a student on board, talk about availability early on and how you intend to plan their schedule. (This is especially important during exam periods.)

Using a shift-based scheduling system lets student employees swap shifts (if they need to), so your business doesn't suffer any disruption.

Reliability

While you might wonder whether you can depend on student employees, there are things you can do to make sure you attract candidates who aren't going to let you down.

Recruiting through university career programmes – which usually screen candidates first – means only dependable students will become available to you.

Furthermore, offering perks such as performance bonuses or flexible working arrangements can inspire dedication.

Establishing clear expectations from the start and communicating openly about what you need from the student will help you build a professional and positive working relationship.

Final thoughts

Hiring students can be an affordable way to support your small business while helping young people gain work experience.

Their enthusiasm, skills and fresh ideas can provide real value, and by investing in them, you're developing the people who might one day become a key part of your workforce.

If you're considering this option, the next steps are straightforward. Identify where you need extra support, then start advertising through university job boards, online platforms or local networking events.

Those employers that take the opportunity to work with young talent often find themselves gaining not just an extra pair of hands, but innovative ideas and fresh energy that can drive their businesses forward. 

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