Unionlearn – the learning and skills arm of the TUC – are launching a new campaign at The Skills Show in Birmingham next week (15th to the 17th of November) to ensure that all apprentices are paid legally.
Called ‘I’m an apprentice – value me!’ the campaign will be aimed at ensuring that apprentices know what they are entitled to, that employers are aware of what they should be paying and that government is properly enforcing the apprentice minimum wage.
Unionlearn are launching this campaign in anticipation of the government launching a new Apprentice Pay Survey in 2013. Results from the last apprentice pay survey in 2011, undertaken by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) showed that nearly one in five are currently being paid illegally, with 5% not being paid at all. We are determined to campaign to see a vast reduction in these appalling figures.
Tom Wilson, Director of unionlearn said:
“It is essential that apprentices are protected and valued. Apprenticeships are a vital way to ensure that people are learning the skills needed for the UK economy and that they are receiving quality training that will lead to them being highly employable.
Pay is an essential component of valuing our apprentices. If they are not receiving at least the minimum they are owed, the whole concept of apprenticeships is devalued. Given the importance the government has placed on increasing apprenticeships, we know that protecting their ‘brand’ is essential.”
Fred Grindrod, Apprenticeships Policy and Campaigns Officer at unionlearn said:
“We are delighted to be launching this campaign at the Skills Show. With over 100,000 young people expected to attend who will be considering an apprenticeship as their next move, it will be a great place to ensure an many future apprentices as possible are aware of what they are entitled to. ”
The 2011 BIS apprentice Pay Survey revealed the following shocking statistics:
- 5% of Apprentices across the UK are unpaid
- 19% of Apprentices across the UK are being paid less than the legal minimum wage, with 9% being paid less than the Apprentice Rate
The survey also looks at apprenticeships by job type and shows that:
- 48% of apprentices in Hairdressing are being paid less than the legal minimum wage
- 31% of apprentices in Construction are being paid less than the legal minimum wage
- 26% of apprentices in Children’s Care are being paid less than the legal minimum wage
The survey also found that 25% of Apprentices who work overtime are not paid for it; 10% of Apprentices who work overtime are working more than 10 unpaid hours per week. This makes what apprentices are actually being paid per hour even less.
