Employment Law Update (June 2010)
Apprentices to get minimum wage from October
In changes agreed by the outgoing Labour Government, the new
Government has confirmed that all apprentices will qualify for the
NMW from 1st October.
The change will apply to:
- Apprentices aged under 19; and
- Apprentices aged 19 and over but in the first year of their
apprenticeship.
These apprentices are currently exempt from the NMW.
However, the rate of NMW set is low, at £2.50 per hour.
Apprentices aged 19 or over and in the second or third year of
their apprenticeship will qualify for the NMW rate appropriate to their age group.