National Minimum Wage

 

A new National Minimum Wage for apprentices will be introduced from 1 October 2010. The wage will apply to all apprentices aged under 19; and apprentices aged 19 or over in the first year of their Apprenticeship.

The Apprentice minimum wage will be £2.50 per hour and applies to time working, plus time spent training that is part of the Apprenticeship.

Employers will be free to pay above the new wage. Many already do so and this change will not affect that but employers must ensure that they are paying their apprentices at least the minimum wage.

The current requirement is £95 a week and, if an apprentice is on this level, the employer must continue to pay at least £95 per week for the remainder of the training or until the apprentice becomes eligible for the full national minimum wage.

An apprentice receiving less than £95 per week after the 1st October 2010 after previously receiving £95 per week or more before, are advised to officially register the complaint with the NAS helpline on 02476 826482.