Employing an apprentice
Pay and conditions for apprentices
You are responsible for:
- giving your apprentice their contract of employment
- paying your apprentice’s wage
- signing an apprenticeship agreement
Pay for apprentices
You must pay apprentices at least the National Minimum Wage.
There are different rates of pay for apprentices depending on their age and what year of their apprenticeship they’ve completed.
The contract of employment should make it clear what wage you’ll pay your apprentice and for what hours.
Aged 16 to 18
The current National Minimum Wage rate for an apprentice is £6.40 per hour.
Aged 19 or over and in their first year
The current National Minimum Wage rate for an apprentice is £6.40 per hour.
Aged 19 or over and have completed their first year
Apprentices will be entitled to the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage rate for their age.
Use the National Minimum Wage and Living Wage calculator to check if you’re paying your apprentices correctly.
Conditions
Apprentices must work towards an approved apprenticeship. Their training must last at least 12 months.
They must be employed in a real job that gives them the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills they need to pass their assessment.
Training and study
You must pay your apprentice for time spent training or studying for their apprenticeship.
Apprentices must get time off during their working week for apprenticeship training.
The training might take place:
- at their place of work
- somewhere else (for example, a college or training provider)
- online
If your apprentice is also studying for English or maths qualifications required by their apprenticeship, they are entitled to paid study time during their normal working hours.
Employee rights
You must offer apprentices the same conditions as other employees working at similar grades or in similar roles. This includes:
- paid holidays
- sick pay
- any benefits you offer such as childcare voucher schemes
- any support you offer such as coaching or mentoring
Apprentices and redundancy
Apprentices have the same employment rights as your other employees. Follow the process for making staff redundant if you have to make an apprentice redundant.
Get legal advice if you want to end the apprenticeship early for another reason.
Support for apprentices
Your apprentice can get support if they’re being made redundant or are at risk of redundancy.
They can get:
- financial and legal advice
- support for their health and wellbeing
- help finding another apprenticeship
DfE Apprenticeships and Skills Helpline
Telephone: 0800 015 0400
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm