Minimum Wage is on the rise for every group in the UK, but there is a significant rise in the rate of pay for apprentices!

Every year the Government reviews National Minimum Wage for workers across the UK and establishes new rates of pay which are effective from 1 April 2022.

This year has been no different, however there has been increased pressure to help low-paid, younger workers, who are among the worst hit by the pandemic.

For apprentices, this means that each year, you could be bringing home an extra £994.50 (before tax) compared to last year!

Also, for the first time ever, apprentices will be paid the same rate as National Minimum Wage for under-18s. Although this may not sound like a big boost for apprentices, it really is as it means that apprentices are no longer the lowest people earning in the jobs market.

National Minimum Wage is a legal requirement that companies need to abide by and sets out the amount that an employer will pay you, per hour.

There are three types of Minimum Wage: 

  • the National Living Wage applies to workers over the age of 23
  • the National Minimum Wage applies to workers above school leaving age but under 23 
  • the National Apprenticeship Minimum Wage applies to apprentices aged under 19, or people over 19 but in the first year of their apprenticeship. 

It will be announced next week that there will be the following minimum wage increases:

 

Minimum wage increases from 1 April:

  • National Living Wage for over-23s: From £8.91 to £9.50 an hour
  • National Minimum Wage for those aged 21-22: From £8.36 to £9.18
  • National Minimum Wage for 18 to 20-year-olds: From £6.56 to £6.83
  • National Minimum Wage for under-18s: From £4.62 to £4.81
  • The Apprentice Rate: From £4.30 to £4.81

Don’t forget, as an apprentice you’re also entitled to be paid for the studying you do for 20% of your working week and although this is minimum wage, you could earn a lot more than this as an apprentice.

If you believe you are being underpaid based on your age or as an Apprentice, you can find more advice at Citizens Advice. 

If you are an Apprentice and have a concern about apprentice minimum wage, we recommend speaking to both your line manager and your training provider, college or University.  

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