Ask the UK government to give apprentices a real wage

The UK government tries to get people into jobs, apprenticeship programmes and further education and calls the youth the future of Britain but raises tuition fees and pays apprentices approximately £2 an hour. There's no wonder people are finding it hard to find work with little experience as retraining on such low wages is ludicrous. To live on such a low income when rent prices are so high is near impossible. Tell the government today that you want real living wages for apprentices.

Toni Pearce the President of the National Union of Students (NUS) agrees the rate needs to be raised. The minimum wage for apprentices used to be £2.68 per hour. From today that will rise to £2.73. Toni States 'I genuinely don’t understand how the Government think that someone could afford to live on such a paltry wage. The minimum wage for apprentices is shockingly low, particularly as many apprentices still aren’t being financially supported through the off the job training they receive. It’s a real shame, because we all know that apprenticeships are fantastic for businesses, personal careers and creating opportunities for both employers and apprentices. Unfortunately the fact is that vocational study and apprenticeships often aren’t viewed with the same esteem as other routes of education. This is evident right from the start of the study leavers’ journey, from the sheer lack of information, advice and guidance in schools, universities and colleges. We have found that often students aren't told about apprenticeships. NUS research last year showed that over 50 percent of university students were reported as being unaware of the apprenticeship opportunities available to them. We've even found that some students have been told that they are "too clever" to think about going down this route, which is ridiculous. How can learners begin to shape their own destiny without a guarantee of impartial careers advice? Especially because with many not being able to afford tuition fees for university, other career options are looking more enticing. Our own research, however, showed that the previous apprenticeship minimum wage, a measly £2.68 per hour, could be a major deterrent for those who would otherwise consider apprenticeships. The Government's own evidence last year showed that thirty percent of apprentices were even paid below that pathetic wage. Research from The Equality and Human Rights Commission indicates that pay and the quality of apprenticeships are inextricably linked. Traditionally male apprenticeships such as engineering and construction have better wages, more classroom time, and more on the job training than traditionally female apprenticeships, such as hairdressing and childcare positions. Over the last few weeks it’s been heartening to hear that politicians have committed to creating loads of apprenticeships but it’s really important that these are properly rewarded. The low wages paid to apprentices stack up problems in other areas of their lives too. They have little disposable income and let’s not forget that many have to pay to travel to work or to college. We’ve heard stories of apprentices who have to pay almost £10 a day to travel to work while on the apprentice minimum wage. Or stories where apprentices are only paid for the four days they are in work but not for their study day in college. How can anyone expect to live a decent life on such a low income? But we need to work together to raise the voice of apprentices in our movements. We need more than just naming and shaming. We need a clampdown on those who are choosing to exploit hardworking young people trying to get their foot on the career ladder. We need to raise the esteem of those choosing their own vocational path into adulthood. We need to view apprenticeships with the same respect that other educational choices receive. We need to make sure that all young people are aware of all the choices they have on offer to them. And we need these things now. Apprentices must have a voice. And we will make sure they are heard.'

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