Apprentice wage - can they do this?

Glowing

Hi,

My brother has been working (hard) in a plant hire and fitting company part time for 3 years and and has worked his way up from the minimum wage to 10 euro an hour - he'll be doing his Leaving this year and plans to go back to this company to do an apprenticeship in Plant Fitting. He won't be working a full week but will be doing the exact same tasks plus extra work I guess for his qualification.

When he approached his boss today to confirm the apprenticeship was still on, she informed him today that he'd be dropped down to the 'Apprentice wage' of 5 quid an hour!! He's livid! :mad:

As far as he's concerned, this 'apprentice wage' is only a minimum - are they legally entitled to reduce his salary like this? They've always been satisifed with his work to date and he works hard.

Thanks for your replies!

AckwelFoley

I believe they are entitled to do this, your brother needs the position and these ppl know this.

Its part of the "game" and when he serves his time he can do what he likes. The important thing is that he gets his qualification and i would suggest he takes it "on the chin" and goes with it.


Its pretty lowsey of the employers but its a short term situation.

board om

unfortunetly that is what happens with apprenticeships. crap money for the firsy 3-4 years and then after you are qualified you get proper money.

a few years ago it was worse again. i rememeber if you were serving an apprectice in peter marks as a hair dresser you were paid £40 a week for the first year, £50 a week for you second year, and then £50 a week for your 3rd year. then for the fourth year you got £60 and your tips included. after you finished the 4 years you were qualified and you got full wages and tips. but while you were serving your apprentice you had to work 6 days a week from 9am-6pm so it was a full time job.

and about 15 years ago if you went to do a carpentry apprecntice, you got £15 per week for the first few years. i think you could claim travel expenses from FAS on top of that.

so €5 an hour is better than nothing and it will be worth it in the long run.

Jo King

Glowing wrote: »

Hi,

As far as he's concerned, this 'apprentice wage' is only a minimum - are they legally entitled to reduce his salary like this? They've always been satisifed with his work to date and he works hard.

Thanks for your replies!

It is not a reduction in salary. He is giving up one role and assuming a different one. In theory the employer is assuming different responsibilities for him.
His only chance of getting more money is to secure another offer of apprenticeship and try and play the two employers off each other.
It is not unusual for apprentices to be paid more than the minimum.

the_syco

Jo King wrote: »

It is not a reduction in salary. He is giving up one role and assuming a different one. In theory the employer is assuming different responsibilities for him.

Agreed. OP: €5 an hour is a usual apprentice wage for the 1st year.

Karlos_Sparky

Assuming he will be an apprentice fitter then his pay rates should be as follows


1st Year - €5.31
2nd Year - €7.97
3rd Year - €11.51
4th Year - €14.17

Thats the rates up to jan 08 - there may be an increase on the cards but don't hold your breath !!!