Current Issues

• Some employers still see apprenticeships as “cheap labour” and are paying apprentice minimum wages that are set by Government. This is putting many individuals off applying for apprenticeships as they cannot survive on minimum wage.

• There is a high drop out rate of apprentices employed on low wages. They simply cannot survive, eat and pay bills.

• Potential apprentices are missing out on the opportunity to be more socially mobile and gain higher qualifications as they are stuck in a wage trap and not able to move forwards with their careers or aspirations.

• Apprentices are getting paid less than other people the same age and/or doing similar roles.

• Those students currently signed up to the “free school meals” initiative in schools are less likely to take on an apprenticeship than those that are not.

• Low apprentices’ wages have a direct impact on those families who have low income or who are claiming benefits

• Apprentices - Apprentices are entitled to the apprentice rate if they’re either:

  • aged under 19

  • aged 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship

Example

• An apprentice aged 21 in the first year of their apprenticeship is entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £6.40.

• Apprentices are entitled to the minimum wage for their age if they both:

  • are aged 19 or over

  • have completed the first year of their apprenticeship

Example

• An apprentice aged 21 who has completed the first year of their apprenticeship is entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £11.44.

Why the Pledge

In 2021 Robert R. - Apprentice Trailblazer and expert created the Back the Future campaign to address fairness for all apprentices employed in the UK. Robert says “Employers of apprentices have a responsibility to be aware of the affects that their wage decisions have on the individuals undertaking their apprenticeships.  Whilst it can be attractive to pay lower wages to apprentices as part of their development programs, these low wages can act as a barrier and make apprenticeships exclusive rather than inclusive programs, and cause individuals to not be able to undertake programs to help them reach their potential. I came up with the Back the Future campaign after witnessing a number of individuals who due to having dependents or having to pay rent could not afford to take an apprenticeship and were forced in to a better paid role but that offered them little long term development. The idea is to not only raise awareness around this issue but also to help those companies who perhaps cannot pay a higher wage now, work towards this wage or provide them with resources to help their Apprentices manage their smaller budgets and be aware of how to handle debt and costs. Hopefully together we can help raise awareness of these issues and support each other to end what I believe is Apprenticeship driven poverty and exclusion and drive up fairness for all – please come on our journey with us ”.