Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes, therefore most of the training is ‘on the job’ – at your premises. The rest can be provided by a local college or by a specialist learning provider, or you could deliver everything yourself.
As the employer you must give your apprentice an induction into their role and provide on-the-job training. You are also responsible for paying your apprentice’s wages.
National minimum wage
A national minimum wage for apprentices was introduced on 1 October 2010. The wage applies to all apprentices aged under 19 as well as apprentices aged 19 or over in the first year of their apprenticeship.
The apprentice minimum wage is £2.60 an hour and applies to time working, plus time spent training that is part of the apprenticeship. Employers are free to pay above this wage and many do so, but employers must ensure that they are paying their apprentices at least the minimum wage.
If an apprentice is on a higher wage, the employer must continue to pay that for the remainder of the training or until the apprentice becomes eligible for the full national minimum wage.