The main draw of becoming an apprentice is the fact that it is possible to earn money while you are training and learning. Combining work with study means apprentices can get the best of both worlds.
It is important that apprentices make sure that they understand what they are entitled to before starting an apprenticeship. Employers will need to pay a salary and give apprentices time off in the same way that they would for any other employee.
While on an apprenticeship it may also be possible to get other funding to help you with transport or childcare costs or supplement a low income.
Wages
Taking home your first pay cheque is a great feeling and one of the best things about starting an apprenticeship. As an apprentice, it is easy to feel that your employer is doing you a favour but an apprentice is an employee and needs to be paid accordingly.
The minimum apprentices can earn is £80 per week but the best idea is for an apprentice to check what similar jobs are being paid so that wages can be compared. Remember that a fresh apprentice is likely to have less skills than more experienced employees though so wages will be lower.
Apprentices may also qualify for funding which can help boost income during the scheme. Young people up to 18 can apply for an education maintenance allowance of up to £30 a week which can be very useful to offset any travel costs or extra expenses that you have during the apprenticeship. There may also be other grants or funding your can apply for locally or through private funders so ask your college or jobcentre about opportunities that are available.
Benefits
Like anyone who is on a low income, apprentices may be eligible to get benefits from the government. These are in place to help people who do not earn much and it is worth finding out what you may be entitled to.
There are a variety of different benefits available such as housing, council tax or low income allowances. Additionally if apprentices have children they can probably claim child tax benefits and may be able to get help with childcare costs. Contact your local jobcentre to find out more.
Payrise
Obviously it is not advisable to start asking for a payrise in your first week but as apprentices develop more skills and understanding of the industry it is reasonable to discuss money. Apprenticeships are all about learning and training and this will inevitably make apprentices better at their job and more valuable to the company.
Employers should be open to discussing wages if the apprentice can prove their commitment, development and value. Apprentices should offer solid examples of how they improved and why they have become more important to the company. Be reasonable about any requests and see if both parties can leave feeling satisfied.
Apprentices are taking a big step towards gaining skills and qualifications that will help their careers and deserve to be paid reasonably while they are training. Employers should offer competitive wages and be willing to discuss payrises as apprentices progress. Also, make sure that you check what benefits and funding you may be entitled to on top of your salary.
I am a 21 year old apprentice, I earn £160 pw (which is more than most but I have now been working there over 6 months now hence and have had a payrise), however I currently do not live at home, I live in a flat with my partner who has recently had no work (he is self employed labourer). We have been looking into what other help we can receive however after trying to apply for some help we were told that we were not entitled to anything at all as my wages are enough to support us both. I am currently paying out over £750 pm not including food, or fuel costs, I have a car to run as well to get to and from work, without the car I would lose my job as I have a small diesel car which works out cheaper a week than the 2-3 buses I would have to catch to get to work everyday.
It is getting to a point where I cannot financially uphold us both for any longer, I cannot live paying for both myself and my partner and still get to work it is getting to a point now where I can barely afford to feed myself or fuel the car. I cannot ask for another pay rise as I had one 2 months ago, also as we are a small company my boss cannot afford to increase my wage any more than he already has. I love my job and do not want to leave but it is getting to a point where I was financially better off out of work than I am now working. I chose an apprenticeship as I could not get any other job without relevant experience and all my experience is in cold calling which is a soul destroying job, I would rather be homeless than go back to that hence why I went for an apprenticeship. Is there any other help I can get? I am not old enough for tax credits, I don't have any children and I work almost 40 hrs per week!! What can I do? Is there anything else like a grant or support I can apply for?
Help!!
Ren - 27 January 2012 @ 1:41 PM
I'm 18 and have just started an apprenticeship and am earning 95 a week but half that goes on travel am I entitled to any extra money towards my travel cost and I'm looking to move into my own place soon would I be entitled to housing benefits? Thanks
Kay - 1 December 2011 @ 10:46 PM
hi i was offered a job recently but its only one day a week, i agreed to starting and went for my first day recently, i really enjoyed it so am going to be doing the job, although don't find that the one day is doing much to my learning i was asked about going as an apprentice but the people don't know much about this and must add niether do i, could you give me any advice on this and what it would entail, the new employer doesn't have much funding but can give me one day pay then asked if i could go voluntary for more hours until funding available e.g when proceeds sell better is there anything i can do to get any help .
Ize - 12 November 2011 @ 12:44 PM
My son is about to start work as an apprentice in a accident repair centre can he claim travelling costs as we live about 15 miles fron the bodyshop and he will be getting paid about £97.00 a week and he is 17 years old.
p - 10 November 2011 @ 11:40 PM
Hi I have started a hairdressing apprenticeship. I earn about £90 a week.I have to pay full travel costs on the bus now, full dental, medical costs etc. I live at home currently and wondered if there was any financial help I am entitled to.Thanks
laura - 1 November 2011 @ 12:48 PM
Hi, my daughter has just started her apprenticeship, but she will spend half her wages on bus fares. Isthere any helptowards her travel costs.
Thanks
D - 4 October 2011 @ 1:22 PM
Have been an apprentice for 2 months now but am using half my wages on travel costs am I entitled to any extra help ?
m - 6 September 2011 @ 10:08 PM
Hia! I started a new apprenticeship last week working at a nursery and for the first few months I am working towards a Level 2. I get paid £2.50 an hour and work 10 hours a day 5 days a week but I am finding it difficult to fund my travel and food costs. I am wondering if you could tell me if I would be entitled to a grant to help me along? Thanks
Jojo - 27 August 2011 @ 5:59 PM
Hi, I am just about to finish my business and admin apprenticeship, and the company I am with think I will be staying on. How do I determine what wage to ask for? I am 19 years old and I am being paid £4.83ph. Do I look at what other people are being paid in the company? Or my experience? This is my first job after leaving college. I have been working at the company for over a year. By the time I finish it will have been around 18 months. I am not desperate to stay on as I feel I can't progress much further and it feels as if they are bit stingy with what they pay other employees. The manager relies on me a lot but half the time I feel like cheap labour.
