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How much do Modern Apprentices get paid?

The amount paid to employed Modern Apprentices, as for all employees, is negotiated with the employer. Pay rates vary between sectors, regions and between different employers. Your union can help in negotiating pay rates.

On 1st October 2010, an Apprenticeship National Minimum Wage was introduced. All Modern Apprentices in the United Kingdom must be paid at least £2.60 per hour. This Apprenticeship NMW applies to all those apprentices who were previously exempt from the National Minimum Wage, such as those aged 16-18 and those aged 19 or over, who are in the first year of their Modern Apprenticeship.

From 1st October 2011, these National Minimum Wage rates and age bands apply:

• £2.60 - the Modern Apprentice rate, for Modern Apprentices aged 16 -18 or 19 or over and in the first year of their Modern Apprenticeship
• £ 3.68 - the 16-17 rate
• £ 4.98 - the 18-20 rate
• £ 6.08 - the rate for workers aged 21 and over

If you think you are not being paid what you are entitled to, you should contact your union.

From 1st October 2012, these National Minimum Wage rates and age bands will apply:

• £2.65 - the Modern Apprentice rate, for Modern Apprentices aged 16 -18 or 19 or over and in the first year of their Modern Apprenticeship - an increase of 5p.

• £ 3.68 - the 16-17 rate - no increase

• £ 4.98 - the 18-20 rate - no increase

• £ 6.19 - the rate for workers aged 21 and over - a rise of 11p

Fair Tips Campaign

Employers are not allowed to use tips received in cash to offset the minimum wage. However, there are still a number of loopholes in relation to gratuities charged as part of a bill that is ultimately settled by credit or debit card.

This is quite clearly wrong and customers leave tips in recognition of the service they have received by those who have been involved in delivering that service.

The STUC Youth Committee want to measure the effectiveness of the legislation introduced last year and would encourage workers of all ages to complete its Fair Tips Online Survey.

The STUC will raise any instances of abuse of the new legislation directly with the employers on a confidential basis, but only where the respondent wishes us to do so.