An apprentice is an employee and must be paid for both their working time and the training or study required by their apprenticeship. Employers must also give apprentices the same employment rights and comparable conditions as other employees in similar roles.
Minimum wage
From 1 April 2026, the National Minimum Wage apprentice rate is £8.00 per hour. It applies to apprentices aged under 19 and to apprentices aged 19 or over who are in the first year of their apprenticeship.
After the first year, an apprentice aged 19 or over must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage rate for their age. Minimum wage rates usually change each April, so always check the current GOV.UK figures before setting pay.
Paid training time
Apprentices must be paid for the time they spend training or studying for the apprenticeship. Required off-the-job training takes place during normal paid working hours. If training exceptionally takes place outside those hours, the apprentice must agree and be compensated through additional pay or time off in lieu.
Where English or maths study is required as part of the apprenticeship, the apprentice must also be given paid time for that study during normal working hours.
Employment rights and conditions
Apprentices are entitled to employee rights including paid holiday and sick pay, and should receive the same benefits and support offered to employees at similar grades or in similar roles. Normal employment law also applies to matters such as working time, rest breaks, health and safety, discrimination and redundancy.
Working hours
There is no blanket national rule that every apprentice must work 30 hours a week. Part-time apprenticeships are possible. The job and training schedule must still give enough time for the apprentice to develop occupational competence and complete the required training.
Individual training providers may have their own programme requirements, so employers should confirm working-hour expectations before recruiting.
