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The traditional view of an apprentice might be a young person learning alongside an experienced tradesman, for example a plumber in the construction industry. However, nowadays, apprenticeships can offer a gateway into a variety of careers.
Here we look at apprenticeships in more detail.
You can also find a section dedicated to apprenticeships on our specialist Tax Guide for Students website.
What is an apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships are government funded work-based training programmes for people aged 16 and over. They combine on the job training with nationally recognised qualifications. They are about equipping individuals with the new skills and learning they need for their job roles and for future employment and progression.
Apprenticeships come in different levels from intermediate and advanced to degree level and will last a minimum of 12 months, but depending on the qualification they may take longer.
There are lots of different subjects available to choose from sector specific apprenticeships like Dental or Childcare to ones in Customer Service and Business Administration.
Apprenticeships are a popular choice for young people but are actually open to all ages.
With regard to apprenticeships in England, there is some more information about eligibility, how long they take, the qualifications you can get and the different levels of apprenticeship on GOV.UK.
You can also find out more about English apprenticeships in the Apprentice Hub, including about the different types of apprenticeship.
Apprenticeships policy is a devolved matter and it is for the devolved administrations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to determine how they manage their own schemes. Find out about apprenticeships in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
How much are apprentices paid?
Apprentices must be paid at least the apprentice national minimum wage for all the time they are on their apprenticeships.
Apprentices who are under 19, or who are 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship, will be paid a minimum of £4.15 per hour (from 1 April 2020), however many businesses pay more. Individuals not falling into these categories should be paid the minimum wage rate for their age band. Guidance about the appropriate hourly rates is available on GOV.UK.
⚠️ Note: the rules say that any new rate (that is, for those turning 19 and/or for those moving into the second year of their apprenticeship) starts from the beginning of the next pay period. People naturally think that if they are monthly paid and turn 19 (say) on the 15th of the month then they should be paid the higher rate for the rest of the month. But actually, they are only entitled to it from the 1st of the month following their birthday. See the example Rosie and example Seamus below.
The appropriate minimum wage rate should be paid for time working plus the time spent training both on and off the job. This includes time spent at college/or off site with a provider.
If you are not paid on an hourly basis, for example you are paid an annual salary, then GOV.UK contains information about how to work out if minimum wage is being paid.
For detailed information on how the minimum wage should be calculated, including how the accommodation offset works and how things like travelling time, tips and uniform deductions should be dealt with, please see our page What is the national minumum wage?
Sadly some businesses do not fully understand how minimum wage rates work so some apprentices are not always paid what they are legally due. You should speak to your boss or call the ACAS Pay and Work Rights Helpline if you think you are not being paid correctly.
Please note that the government amends the minimum wage rates on 1 April each year.
What about apprentice terms and conditions?
Most apprentices are employed and therefore have the same rights as other employees, including the right to be enrolled into a workplace pension if they meet the conditions (auto-enrolment). To find out more about your rights as an 