Policy Hub
A report published by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) on 1 April 2010, commissioned by the Low Pay Commission, examines variations in apprentice pay across the UK and looks at the role of apprentice pay on young people’s decisions to start and complete an apprenticeship. The report also considers the potential responses of employers to the introduction of a national minimum wage for apprentices.
The research focuses primarily on employed apprentices aged 16 to 24 working in hairdressing, retail, early years childcare, hospitality and social care – all low-paying sectors employing mainly female apprentices.
Researchers also looked at the engineering sector for comparative purposes, as apprentice pay is normally higher there and the vast majority of apprentices are male. The findings presented are based on focus group and survey research with apprentices and other young people across the UK, plus interviews with employers, training providers and careers advisers.