Help for apprentice

dingbatdave

My son will shortly have completed his first year as an apprentice plumber. He has been receiving £30 per college week, but receives nothing during the usual school holidays.
He works for a plumbing firm from 8am to 5pm on the days that he doesn't have to attend college, and receives NO PAY for this work.
Whilst I understand there may not be any pay for a while, once this years course ends in 2 weeks, he will NOT receive any money from either the college or his employer. in fact from the start of the course in September he will NOT receive any money from the college either as that ends after the first year.
What is available for an 18 year old, who goes to college and works hard but receives absolutely nothing. What do they expect him to live on? Do they expect the parents to fund him?
My wife does not work, and I am disabled and unable to work and receive an occupational health pension. My total income for the year would be £13,000.
Please advise as my wife and I don't know how we will manage. My son is NOT high maintenance and is very aware of the situation. I am concerned that he will give up the apprentiship to obtain a manual job to pay for himself. This is something I don't want to happen.

Oldernotwiser

I assume that the £30 he receives is EMA - if so, I can't see why it would stop as you can receive it until you're 19. Who has told him that he won't receive it for his second year?

He's obviously on a PLA (Programme Led Apprenticeship) rather than being employed by the company, so he's in the same situation as someone who's a full time student, most of whom would support themselves in the holidays by getting a job. I'd encourage him to look on this as an investment into his future and stick with it for another year; plumbing apprenticeships with work placements are like gold dust in most parts of the country.

Edit: Don't forget that you'll be able to carry on getting CB and CTC until he's 20 whilst he's studying. Surely this will make a difference to your ability to support him through training?

dingbatdave

No it's NOT EMA as he is paid this money straight from the college. He is on a higher level education skills course and cannot claim EMA.
He had a few jobs over the school holidays but this is NOT the problem. HE WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY MONEY FROM THE START OF TERM IN SEPTEMBER AS THE £30 IS ONLY PAID DURING THE FIRST YEAR.
CHILD BENEFIT ceases in August due to him being 18 in SEPTEMBER and we have received a letter telling us so.
The CHILD TAX CREDITS I am not aware whether they end in August or continue, I do hope you are correct that they continue until he is 20.
HE knows how lucky he is to have a placement, but I can assure you that he was offered the placement by the boss of the firm with the assurance of the college head that "he was the most dedicated, hard working and the best student they have had for years". So the "Luck" is purely on his own merit.
Thanks for your advice. Any more would be of benefit.

dmg24

dingbatdave wrote: »

No it's NOT EMA as he is paid this money straight from the college. He is on a higher level education skills course and cannot claim EMA.
He had a few jobs over the school holidays but this is NOT the problem. HE WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY MONEY FROM THE START OF TERM IN SEPTEMBER AS THE £30 IS ONLY PAID DURING THE FIRST YEAR.
CHILD BENEFIT ceases in August due to him being 18 in SEPTEMBER and we have received a letter telling us so.
The CHILD TAX CREDITS I am not aware whether they end in August or continue, I do hope you are correct that they continue until he is 20.
HE knows how lucky he is to have a placement, but I can assure you that he was offered the placement by the boss of the firm with the assurance of the college head that "he was the most dedicated, hard working and the best student they have had for years". So the "Luck" is purely on his own merit.
Thanks for your advice. Any more would be of benefit.

ONW's information is spot on. Can you clarify what other information you require?

Oldernotwiser

I'm sorry I assumed it was EMA when it isn't.

Could you clarify why he can't claim EMA for a PLA and what qualification he's actually studying for. Whereabouts in the UK are you?

Edit: I've just read through your other posts and you seem to be in NI. It might have been a good idea to have mentioned it.

dingbatdave

Ooops! sorry guys, I should have mentioned where I was. Yes it is Northern Ireland, and the only other thing I would like to know is if the Tax Credits I receive now, DO continue until he is 20 Yrs old?
If you cannot know for sure, can you tell me where I might go to in an attempt to find out.
I was thinking that the local unemployment/benefits office, or Tax office are the next places I will try. Would this be the correct offices to try?
Thanks for the replies and I look forward to any more advice.....
Cheers!

Oldernotwiser

In England, if you recieve CB for a child you also receive CTC; the two are very tied in to each other.

Because of your son's age, I would think that NI Careers wuld be the best place to start. Their website is
www.careersserviceni.com

Good luck with it all.

welshmoneylover

Is there any chance your wife can get work to help out or is she unable to?

Was going to suggest as well your son gets some work to help out, even if it's a temporary job.

dingbatdave

Thanks for the replies and especially the website.
Unfortunately my wife cannot work and with the college course and the rest of the working week with the employer, I think it would be a bit much to have him work either in the evenings or week-ends.
However I will move forward with your advice and will investigate further.

Cheers guys. A Mc

sandraroffey

i think some of these courses are very hard on the student.

my son, years ago, started a car mechanics course and had to work for a local employer for free. i appreciate that they have to learn their trade somehow, but you would think the employer would at least give them enough for their fares and lunches.

we were in a similar position to you, and unfortunately, my son left the course, something he regrets even to this day, 15 years later.

there must be something you can do. you should still get child benefit as well as tax credits, BUT YOU HAVE TO TELL THEM he is at college.

good luck to you all.xxx

Oldernotwiser

Is your wife claiming any disability benefits she may be eligible for?