National Apprenticeship Wage Set to Rise in April

The government announced late last year that apprentices’ pay would be going up in line with inflation from April 2023. This will be the second biggest apprenticeship wage rise in over a decade, and it’s all to help attract more talent in a tight labour market.

From the 1st of April the National Minimum Wage for Apprentices will be going up by 9.7% to £5.28 an hour. 

So, whether you’re an employer or a learner, what does this actually mean for you?

The National Minimum Wage was first introduced back in the late 90s. In 1998 to be exact, the year of the Furby!

But apprentices didn’t actually qualify for this national minimum wage for a whopping 12 years. Until October 2010, when a National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices was finally introduced. Since then, it has gradually been going up, with this latest change set to increase the current rate of £4.81 by 47p.

If you are an apprentice, you’re entitled to this rate whether you are under 19, or 19 and over and in the first year of your apprenticeship. And for the first time ever, the apprenticeship national minimum wage will match the rate for 16-17 year olds. This is a really big deal because it will make apprenticeships a better, more viable option for young people looking to kickstart and progress their career.

According to the Low Pay Commision (LPC), the job market is strong at the moment, with never-before-seen highs in vacancy numbers. This is why the LPC has recommended aligning the apprenticeship rate with the rate for 16-17 year olds, because it is an excellent way to pull more young people into apprenticeships.

So there’s actually never been a better time to be an apprentice! This new pay rise is just one more reason to consider apprenticeships a way to kickstart your career.

You can find out more on the GOV website.