Who’s an adult apprentice?

An adult apprentice is someone who starts their apprenticeship when they’re 21 or older.

What pay rates apply?

This depends on whether the adult apprentice is a new employee, or if they were already employed before starting their apprenticeship.

New employees

New adult apprentices get the higher of:

• the relevant apprentice pay rate (including all purpose allowances), or
• the national minimum wage plus the full industry allowance.

Existing employees

If the adult apprentice was already working for the employer when they became an apprentice, their pay can’t be reduced.

Existing employees will get paid the higher of:

• the pay rate (including all purpose allowances) that they were getting before becoming an apprentice,
• the relevant apprentice pay rate (including all purpose allowances), or
• the national minimum wage plus the full industry allowance.

Example: Existing employee

Jimmy is a 30 year old full-time labourer.

Jimmy has worked for his employer for 3 years and is paid the Level 1(c) pay rate. This includes all purpose industry and special allowances.

Jimmy and his employer enter into a training contract and Jimmy becomes an adult apprentice.

Jimmy will continue to be paid the Level 1(c) pay rate with allowances because it’s higher than the 1^st year apprentice rate.