Wages and Funding for Apprentices

Originally written by Emma Jones, updated by the editorial team on 2nd April 2026

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 £8.00 per hour (from April 1, 2026) 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.

Apprentice Wage Calculator

Find out the minimum wage your apprenticeship must pay, based on your age and how long you have been training, plus what you should earn once the apprentice rate ends.

Try our Apprentice Wage Calculator free, here on this site →

Funding

There may be grants or funding you can apply for locally or through private funders so ask your college or jobcentre about opportunities that are available.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

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 Benefit or Universal Credit child elements 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.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Apprentice Wage Calculator lets you find out the minimum wage your apprenticeship must pay, based on your age and how long you have been training, plus what you should earn once the apprentice rate ends. Try it now →

Showing 20 of 327 questions

Ask An Apprenticeship a Question

Joe 29/11/2022 at 7:26 am

Hi I’m looking at starting a vehicle restoration apprenticeship. I’m 39 and obviously will be taking a £100 a week pay cut. Would I be able to claim any funding or similar?

Mogley 05/05/2022 at 7:43 pm

Just wondering if someone can help I’m a self employed decorator and have a young lad that’s just started with me.

Was just wondering if their is any help out their so I can help towards his wages or maybe putting him through a training course

Graham 29/03/2021 at 2:46 pm

Hi I'm 37 and I am currently on a work boat apprenticeship is anyway I can get additional financial help

Mandyc37 08/03/2021 at 12:46 pm

Hi I was wondering if anyone can help me , my 16 year old daughter is applying for apprenticeship in hairdressing after her exams , is there any Gants out there that my daughter can clam to help with equipment she might need

Fran 02/08/2020 at 5:10 am

Hi, I'm 38 years old (soon to be 39) and have a well paid job as a teacher. However, I would like a career change and have considered an apprenticeship with the NHS. The problem is, as an apprentice, I would only earn around £120 a week, which would be nowhere near enough to pay my bills and support my family. Is there any Government funding for people joining the NHS? Thanks.

Mich 10/05/2020 at 6:02 pm

My son is 18 on his 8th month as an apprentice in construction. Due to covid19 he has worked away for 3 weeks so far ,7 days a week. He has only received the minimum hourly rate of £3.90.?surely he should receive a top up of wages for working away and the expenses he has incurred. Kind regards

Scott 08/05/2020 at 8:21 am

Hi, I'm 36 years old and have a pretty decent paid job. However, during this Covid 19 pandemic, I have decided that I want to do something more worthwhile with my life and have considered joining the Ambulance Service. The problem is, as an apprentice, I would only earn around £150 a week, which would be nowhere near enough to pay my bills. If there any Government funding for people joining the NHS? Thanks.

Aaron 13/04/2020 at 1:09 pm

Hello I’m 38 and want a career change I want to start a plumbing apprenticeship if my wages are not enough for my basic outgoing will it be topped up also where is the best place to go for a apprenticeship I’ve seen the army does them am I to old

Kbec 17/02/2020 at 7:30 am

I'm a 45 yr old woman who has been a single parent. I've always worked in retail. Now my son is at Uni I would like to re train as a Dental Nurse. This would mean running my house on an apprentice wage. Is there any financial help I could apply for?
Thanks.

Fidel Lopez 06/02/2020 at 3:37 am

I'm a apprentice and I have been evicted for Complaining on Mold issue I'm evicted tommorow and I'm homeless with 3 doughters. What help on housing could receive .?

Lanni 16/01/2020 at 2:48 pm

My son is working for my husband as an apprentice plumber. How do we pay my son's national insurance and tax contributions? My husband is a sole trader and will be submitting his self assessment accounts at the end of the month and I need to know how to put this on the self assessment form. Thank you

Paula 15/11/2019 at 3:52 pm

Hi, my son started an apprenticeship in September. He is averaging 20/24 a week because of the weather or machinery breakdown.
My question is, is there an minimum he should get paid? He rightly says he would get more money with a part time job. He was expecting to do a 39 hr week but quite often dies half of that.

Urfana 04/10/2019 at 6:43 pm

Do apprentice get any travel money before their first pay or any other funding other then their actual wage

Ems 16/09/2019 at 1:45 am

Hey my name is Emily I'm just wondering if you can help me I'm on apprenticeship avnd i start 25th September I'm doing 24 hours apprenticeship would I get universal credit and working tax I've got a young child that starting nursery and I need to know on the basis of the cost of nursery thank emily

Steffi 31/08/2019 at 11:24 am

Hello,

I am just wondering something. I'm 20 years old and possibly going to start an apprenticeship. The manager at the interview told me that I will get 3.90 a hour so £117.00 a week. Surely I should get more than that as I'm over 19 and it will be my first year in an apprenticeship (the apprenticeship it is 1 year too) I will turn 21 by the time I finish it.
Thank you.

Kerry 17/08/2019 at 2:13 am

I am 31 haven't worked for 12 years due to caring for my children. I would like to start an apprentice but because an apprentice wage is quite low will I received any benefits like child tax credits? My partner is in full time work.

Ali 09/08/2019 at 10:35 pm

Hi if I do a apprenticeship will I get any childcare vouchers help, my partner and I both work full and part time. Thanks ali

Chloe 24/07/2019 at 7:38 pm

Hi, I have a 3 year old and wanting to start an apprenticeship 30 minimum a week on apprentice wage, I want to know if I’d get help with childcare costs please?

Heather 15/07/2019 at 8:47 am

Hello,

I'm 21, a single mum of a 1 year old.

I was wondering if I wanted to do an apprenticeship would I get help with childcare costs?

Heather

Heather 15/07/2019 at 8:45 am

Hello,

Just wondering if as an apprentice you can get help with childcare costs?

My daughter is 1 years old and I'm 21, im looking to go back to work but would like to do an apprenticeship.

Thanks

Show All 327 Questions

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