Apprentices 'should receive better pay'
Date posted: 29 Jul 2009
The government should do more to improve the employment rights of young people by boosting pay for apprentices, a trade body suggests.
According to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), ministers should cut the red tape surrounding apprenticeship schemes in order to create more positions and help people into work.
The FSB is calling for the current minimum wage for apprentices to be increased from £95 per week to £123, as it seeks to encourage more young people to consider such roles.
The government should do more to improve the employment rights of young people by boosting pay for apprentices, a trade body suggests.
According to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), ministers should cut the red tape surrounding apprenticeship schemes in order to create more positions and help people into work.
The FSB is calling for the current minimum wage for apprentices to be increased from £95 per week to £123, as it seeks to encourage more young people to consider such roles.
Meanwhile, the organisation believes firms should receive better funding and support to allow them to find suitable trainees.
John Wright, national chairman of the FSB, said administration and a lack of financial support often deters companies from taking on apprentices.
He added: "The government must make it easier for the smallest firms to create apprenticeships and should put in place a Group Apprenticeship Programme to bring employers and apprentices together.
"Funds from the government's Train to Gain scheme in England must also be ring-fenced for the smallest firms."
The FSB recently called on the government to allow routine business inspections to be put on hold during the swine flu pandemic.
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