Employing an Apprentice vs part timer

[Dadsussex]

Not sure if this is exactly the right section to post this, however:

I run a business from home and visit clients offices during the week at least 3 days a week.

I have a beautiful purpose made office in an out building, so not just a random desk in the hall or like that. Although the loo and kitchen are in the main house.

Anyhow, I am pondering either taking on an apprentice school leaver (full time as they get a day at college each week) or alternatively a part timer, likely parent friendly hours (10-2/3pm say each day)

Realistically the person would need to do admin duties, run my diary, phone calls, approach potential clients but not heavy sales just hi this is us etc and possibly attend client meetings with me on occasion.

Questions:

Has anyone else done the above and how did it go?

I know my other half will have concerns if it's a younger female, I get this but I'm quite happy at home and thought I'd just mention it. (I'm open to male or female applicants btw)

I work in a professional industry that requires attention to detail and an 'assistant' will need to be adaptable. My worry is that an apprentice won't have the experience to know when to use their own initiative without having to phone me if I'm with clients as I won't be able to respond straight away.

If I need to be on the road for 2-3 days straight the person would need to be competent to be left alone, issues on this?

I am leaning towards a mum that wants school friendly hours, say 20 per week - but really just pondering it at this time and thought I'd ask opinions

Being realistic about your work pattern and business needs, you can't expect an apprentice to hit the ground running, use their initiative early on and run your office the way you want it etc. They will be learning on the job and you have to be available to support and train them for a considerable time. That's why they are an apprentice. Sounds like you are offering them college day release which is great, but the other days they need guidance.

Also if the kitchen and toilet facilities are inside your house with the office in your garden, please make sure you make the person feel welcome and give them free access to use the facilities within reason to make hot drinks, eat lunch at a table and go to the loo. There was a similar set up on a thread on here where the person (might have been a mum doing pt hours) was denied access to the very basics and it really was awful for them, they felt emprisoned in the garden and scared to go indoor.

Just wanted to give you insights into responsibility as a good employer, as some of these things aren't always at the forefront of people's minds when they employ someone at home.

Doesn't sound like you have the capacity to train and supervise an apprentice at the moment.

Thanks for the responses

The kitchen and loo etc is no issue at all, I've employed people before just not in this property

I agree to an extent re the apprentice and my thought was just to try to get a younger person on the career ladder but overall feel you are correct in the restrictions of my own time

Things to ponder