Apprenticeship Facts

Apprenticeships - The Facts (October 2010)

1. Contract - An apprentice requires a Contract of Employment within 8 weeks of starting work and should also receive a regular payslip detailing their payment.

2. Hours - Young workers under 18 are not permitted to work more than 40 hours per week (or an 8 hour day) and this includes the 6 hours spent at college. They must have two clear rest days in a week.

3. Pay - From 1st October 2010 the minimum pay for an apprentice is £2.50 per hour – payment must include both on and off the job training - i.e. include the day at college This equates to £95.00 for a 38 hour week (including 6 hours at college) or £100.00 for a 40 hour week (including 6 hours at college). Current apprentices earning £95 or more a week cannot have their pay reduced to the new rate.

4. Minimum number of hours - the minimum hours required to sustain both the NVQ level 2 and 3 course is 22 – that is 16 at work and 6 at college – which would mean pay of at least £55.00 per week.

5. Level 3 apprentices - Although Skills for Growth recommends that level 3 apprentices are paid a higher rate, in line with their previous qualification and experience, there is no legal obligation on employers to do this.

6. 19+ apprentices - Those aged 19 (or those over 18 who reach 19 during their training) will have to be paid the National Minimum Wage in the second year of their apprenticeship.

7. College days - The apprentice is expected to be released 1 day per week to attend college – although this pattern may vary or be less frequent on some courses.

8. Supervision - An apprentice must be supervised at all times – and should not be asked to be responsible for opening /closing the premises or for taking cash to the bank.

9. Employed status – Apprentices must be treated the same as any other member of staff and standard procedures in line with the Contract of Employment and current Employment Law should always be followed – for instance in respect of the disciplinary/termination process and sickness absence entitlement.

10. Annual leave - Minimum annual leave is currently 28 days which may include the 8 Bank Holidays. Entitlement to paid annual leave starts building up from the first day of employment and is not subject to a minimum period of employment. Details of accrued paid holiday during the 1st year should be in the employment contract.

Employment regulations advice for both employers and apprentices is available from www.acas.org.uk or Direct Gov