Apprenticeships and training - money

At this stage, therefore, you probably shouldn't be too interested in the money you get paid! You will, however, be entitled to the National Minimum Wage for apprentices. This is currently £2.50 per hour and will rise to £2.60 from October 2011. For a 40 hour week, for instance, this works out at £100 per week.

How many employers will pay more than the national minimum?

We don't know the answer to this but the National Apprenticeships website indicates that an average weekly wage is around £170. Some work areas may pay more than others; construction and engineering, for instance, may pay more than hairdressing positions. Don't forget that you will have to pay tax and national insurance on whatever you earn. 

Other training

• Trainees on Foundation Learning courses may receive travel expenses  and a bonus when they finish the training successfullly
• If you are in employment but not on an apprenticeship, some employers may still be willing to pay for you to undergo training - it is always worth asking. Alternatively, you may be entitled to receive paid time off to study or train if you haven't got level 2 qualifications
• Graduate training schemes can offer excellent starting salaries, especially some of those with well-known companies. They may also offer the chance to gain specific, professionally related qualifications

What next?

Look at the salaries offered by various organisations on the Apprenticeship Vacancy Matching Agency website. You could also take a look at our World of Work website for an idea about what certain jobs pay.