Home > News > November 2005 > 01-Nov-2005

TUC launches rights guide for apprentices

The TUC has launched a guide to apprenticeship programmes that outlines the different types of programmes available and what exactly is offered in an apprenticeship. 'Your rights as an apprentice' also includes information on terms and conditions, rights at work and pay.

The guide was published last Thursday, the same day as a survey from the DfES which found apprentices earn, on average, £137 a week. According to the survey, the best-paid apprentices work in the electro technical sector with an average pay of £183 per week, while the lowest paid work in hairdressing and receive, on average, £90 a week.

The TUC is concerned that young people seem to be moving into 'gender-specific' sectors as the DfES survey also found that women apprentices are already earning £40 a week less than the men on apprenticeships.

TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances O'Grady said: "The TUC fully backs the apprenticeship programmes and believes they give many thousands of young people the chance to earn and learn valuable on-the-job skills. We are encouraged that, on the whole, apprentices are being reasonably well rewarded for the work they are doing.

"We remain concerned that a gender pay gap appears even at this early stage in young people's lives. Until more is done to address the images of jobs for the boys and jobs for the girls, that gap cannot be eradicated.

"It is essential that all apprentices get high quality training, support and decent pay to encourage them to stay the distance. Our rights guide outlines everything they need to know about the scheme and, crucially, their rights at work as an apprentice."

External link

The TUC leaflet can be downloaded at http://www.tuc.org.uk/tuc/apprentices.pdf

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