Apprenticeship strategy welcomed

Commenting on the Government's strategy for apprenticeships, Ready to Work, Skilled for Work, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'There is much to welcome in the Government's apprenticeships review. The expansion of apprenticeships must be based on improving quality, equality and establishing clear standards. Many of the measures announced today support these aims.

'But it's disappointing that the Government has delayed addressing a key problem with apprenticeships, that of poor pay. Although the poorest paid apprentices, often young women, are now protected from the worst ravages of exploitation by an £80 wage floor, this has not increased since August 2005. Rising prices mean this is effectively a pay cut.

'The Government could further boost the quality of apprenticeships, make them more attractive to young people and improve completion rates by increasing the wage floor to £110. This would bring apprenticeship pay broadly into line with the minimum wage for 16-17 year olds.'

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