At Baltic Apprenticeships, we champion higher apprenticeship salaries and recommend that wherever possible, apprentices are paid at a similar rate to other entry-level roles.
To help encourage fairness for all apprentices across the UK, we’ve joined the Apprentice Decent Wage Pledge. This pledge is part of the Back the Future Campaign led by a group of employers, intermediaries and apprenticeship training providers who are advocates of nurturing the UK’s future talent pipeline by paying above apprentice minimum wages.
WHAT IS THE APPRENTICE DECENT WAGE PLEDGE?
The Apprentice Decent Wage Pledge is designed to encourage higher salaries and promote fairness for apprentices working across the UK.
The Department of Education conducted research that aimed to understand the main reasons why people weren’t completing their apprenticeship. A common theme was “my apprenticeship didn’t pay high enough”.
Here’s what Robert Watts, Founder of the Back the Future campaign had to say about the initiative:
“Employers of apprentices have a responsibility to be aware of the effects that their wage decisions have on the individuals undertaking their apprenticeships. Whilst it can be attractive to pay lower wages to apprentices as part of their development programs, these low wages can act as a barrier and make apprenticeships exclusive rather than inclusive programmes, and cause individuals to not be able to undertake programmes to help them reach their potential.”
WHY ARE HIGHER SALARIES IMPORTANT?
Currently, unemployment is at an all-time low and there is a growing digital skills gap across a number of sectors – making candidate attraction a top priority for many organisations. This candidate driven recruitment market is allowing candidates to be more selective with job offers. Now more than ever, salaries area deciding factor potential applicants, and companies offering a higher salary are likely to see an increase in candidate attraction.
Higher salaries also tend to attract a wider range of candidates to a vacancy. By offering a wage closer to the National Living Wage, organisations can open their talent pool to individuals who may have considered an apprenticeship out of reach.
Offering a higher wage can also help an apprentice feel valued – by paying above the minimum wage, an apprentice is more likely to complete their apprenticeship and progress within your organisation afterwards.
Related Content: What are the Costs of Hiring an Apprentice?
HOW ARE BALTIC PROMOTING HIGHER SALARIES?
By signing this pledge, we’re committing to seeking the highest possible wages for all current and prospective apprentices.
As of April 2024, the minimum wage for an apprentice stands at £6.40 per hour. However, the National Living Wage has increased to £11.44 per hour – this is based on rising living costs such as fuel, energy, rent and food. At Baltic, we actively encourage our employers to consider this when deciding on a wage for their apprentice – the average salary for all our open vacancies currently ranges between £13,000 to £22,000 depending on location.
As an apprenticeship training provider, we practice what we preach. We employ apprentices in many of our departments such as Marketing, IT, Data, Assessment, Finance, HR – and more! We understand first-hand what value an apprentice can bring to a business, which is reflected in our own apprentice’s salaries.
FIND OUT MORE
We’re so proud to be a part of this initiative and look forward to getting further involved in the Back the Future campaign. To learn more about the Apprentice Decent Wage Pledge, visit their website.