Question about Apprenticeships.

ItsJordannn

Hi guys.

I have been offered an Apprentice position today at a company, hourly wage is £3.30 an hour which is apprentice minimum wage.

I'm currently 18 and will be 19 on 30th of December.

I always thought apprentice minimum wage applied to people aged 16-18, which I am 18 but by the time I start my new job it'll be less than a month until I'm 19.

I'm not 100% sure if the company knows my date of birth. During the interview they asked how old I was, but not when I am 18.

Will it matter that I'll be 19 less than a month after I start my apprenticeship?

tomtontom

No, that rate applies to all ages for the first year of the apprenticeship.

Flyonthewall

"This rate is for apprentices aged 16 to 18 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year. All other apprentices are entitled to the National Minimum Wage for their age."

https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates

As it's your first year £3.30 an hour is correct.

ItsJordannn

Thanks both of you, I realised I should've checked google prior to posting.

One last question, for which I have checked Google for and couldn't find a definite answer, is this.

I know the Government offers grants to businesses to take on apprentices.

Do the government offer apprentices any sort of 'grant' for travelling costs or something similar?

I realise its a long shot, but I ask as my wage will be considerably lower during this job than my current job and I will also have to travel considerably more, as I said probably a long shot.

tomtontom

The only thing I can think of is the Jobcentre discretionary fund if you've been in receipt of JSA. Also the employer may offer help, an employer I worked with put £10 a week on a Travel card for their apprentice. I wouldn't actively ask for this though, but maybe you could ask after you've had time to prove yourself?

emsywoo123

It may also be worth asking your Training Provider/College if they have any help to travel schemes as well.

NewShadow

If you have a chat with your local council, some areas disregard apprentices for council tax purposes in the same way as students.Could save you enough to cover the bus fare.

Elfbert

My partner is an Apprenticeship Assessor. He says a lot of companies he works with will also make a contribution toward travel for apprentices, as they understand the low wage is hard to survive on. Definitely worth asking.

Also, apply for an NUS extra card (it costs something to get) - it has hundreds of discounts, and if you're an apprentice in London you'll get 30% off travel with an apprentice Oyster card for the 1st year.