Apprenticeships

kitty*123

I've recently started an apprenticeship and taken quite a big pay cut, I am not responsible for any children and live with a parent, I was just wondering if there are any benefits I am entitled to? as I am struggling to cope.

Caz3121

If you are over 25 you 'may' be able to get working tax credits (not sure how they treat apprenticeships) Otherwise it may be a case of looking for a weekend or evening job to increase your income

19lottie82

As you live with your parent and have no dependents, I doubt it.

Surely you must have been aware of the wage when you accepted the position?

Can you not look for a second job?

Also, visit the Debt Free Wannabe section of the board and post an SOA (statement of affairs, it lists your incomings and outgoings). The posters there will be able to help you how to cut back on your non essential spending.

Good luck!

19lottie82

Caz3121 wrote: »

If you are over 25 you 'may' be able to get working tax credits (not sure how they treat apprenticeships)

I THINK working tax credits are based on "household" income, not "individual"

DCFC79

If your living with your parents what bills do you have to pay meaning your struggling, obvious 1 is mobile phone, another might be form of transport but what others ?

jonesMUFCforever

What do other posters think of this newbie then?

I know what I think .............!

27col

Why would you chuck a well paid job for a poorly paid one?

barbarawright

27col wrote: »

Why would you chuck a well paid job for a poorly paid one?

It doesn't have to be a well paid job to be better paid than an apprenticeship. Perhaps the OP was in a minimum wage job with few prospects and an apprenticeship offers some prospects of learning a trade?

Willing2Learn

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

What do other posters think of this newbie then?

I know what I think .............!

That comes across as quite rude and appears to go against the spirit of "be especially nice to newbies" on the MSE forum

27col wrote: »

Why would you chuck a well paid job for a poorly paid one?

Makes perfect sense if you consider things such as self-development, potentially enhanced future career prospects or maybe just being employed in something from which you derive great personal job satisfaction and pride.

Willing2Learn

kitty*123 wrote: »

I've recently started an apprenticeship and taken quite a big pay cut, I am not responsible for any children and live with a parent, I was just wondering if there are any benefits I am entitled to? as I am struggling to cope.

Congratulations on making the choice of an apprenticeship. It's a fantastic way of learning whilst simultaneously getting real hands-on work experience and building a career. Give yourself a little pat on the back from me. :T

On your question, as well as possibly being eligible for tax credits as posted somewhere above, if you go to college as part of your apprenticeship you may be able to discretionary support from the college. The discretionary funds tend to be for things like books, materials for specialist courses, travel costs etc.

Also, the HR team at your employer may know of other support available as the question may have been asked before by previous apprentices.

I don't know if companies still do this, but when I was young I was able to ask and receive a loan from my employer as the wage was so low when starting out and they deducted it monthly from wages over the year. Probably no harm in asking though I guess.

And good luck!!!

Edit: I don't know how old you are, may 18-19 or mid 20s?? But anyhow, wanted to add, hopefully without sounding patronising, to take this at one of those little things we learn through experience, as we navigate a course through life. Whenever you make a major life-changing decision that takes you off in a different direction, always spend a little time sitting down to look at all the things that may be effected (such as finances for example). That way you can prepare and plan more effectively first, putting in place an action plan that enables the goal to be attained with the least amount of pain. Good luck again

Dabooka

Willing2Learn wrote: »

Congratulations on making the choice of an apprenticeship. It's a fantastic way of learning whilst simultaneously getting real hands-on work experience and building a career.

Assuming of course it's not via a shyster private training provider that will be over in 24 weeks with little to no chance of a job offer at the end of it. And as a special bonus this also uses up the OP's chance of getting a fully funded opportunity at a qualification.

Other than those caveats, they're great.