Promotional material

Messaging for employers of apprentices - National Minimum Wage

Published 30 June 2021

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-minimum-wage-for-apprentices-communication-resources/messaging-for-employers-of-apprentices-national-minimum-wage

The National Minimum Wage messages in this section are aimed at employers of apprentices.

We have included:

  • 3 suggested social media posts
  • a blog post
  • some sample wage calculations

You can adapt or personalise these messages as necessary for your own channels.

Use this URL

The ‘Check Your Pay’ campaign website brings together all the relevant information employers need to know.

Please use the following URL in all your digital content targeting employers:

https://checkyourpay.campaign.gov.uk/?utm_campaign=checkyourpay&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=stk-hmrc&utm_content=businesses#are_you_an_employer_

Social media messages

These template social media posts contain the key messages that we want employers to see.

As well as proposed text, we have provided some images for you to use:

Download social media images for employers (ZIP file, 300Kb)

We have referenced which images would be suitable for each message.

Message 1 - find out which rate to pay

Employers: apprentices aged 19 and over who have completed their first year of apprenticeship are entitled to the higher National Minimum Wage rates for their age group. Find out which rate your workers should be paid

https://checkyourpay.campaign.gov.uk/?utm_campaign=checkyourpay&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=stk-hmrc&utm_content=businesses#are_you_an_employer_

Images

Use the following images:

  • for Instagram, use the file: NMW-Employers-Message-1_Instagram.png
  • for Facebook or LinkedIn, use the file: NMW-Employers-Message-1_Facebook-LinkedIn.png

For reference, the text on the image reads: ‘Are you paying your apprentices the £4.30 minimum wage rate?’

Message 2 - get the minimum wage right

Did you know that the National Minimum Wage apprentice rate of £4.30 should only be paid once the apprenticeship has officially started? Get the minimum wage right.

https://checkyourpay.campaign.gov.uk/?utm_campaign=checkyourpay&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=stk-hmrc&utm_content=businesses#are_you_an_employer_

Images

Use the following images:

  • for Instagram, use the file: NMW-Employers-Message-2_Instagram.png
  • for Facebook or LinkedIn, use the file: NMW-Employers-Message-2_Facebook-LinkedIn.png

For reference, the text on the image reads: ‘Employing apprentices on minimum wage? Find out which rate they should be paid’

Message 3 - get help and support

Employers of apprentices can get help and support to get the National Minimum Wage right. Find out more :

https://checkyourpay.campaign.gov.uk/?utm_campaign=checkyourpay&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=stk-hmrc&utm_content=businesses#are_you_an_employer_

Images

Use the following images:

  • for Instagram, use the file: NMW-Employers-Message-3_Instagram.png
  • for Facebook or LinkedIn, use the file: NMW-Employers-Message-3_Facebook-LinkedIn.png

For reference, the text on the image reads: ‘Employers can get help from HMRC to ensure they’re getting the minimum wage right’

Blog post

As an employer of apprentices, you have a legal responsibility to ensure you’re paying them at least the National Minimum Wage. Mistakes can be easy to make but there is help and advice available to get it right.

When paying your apprentices make sure you’re not making the following common minimum wage mistakes:

  • If an apprentice is aged 19 and over and has completed the first year of their apprenticeship, they are entitled to the higher minimum wage rate for their age group
  • An apprentice can only be paid the apprentice rate of £4.30 once they have officially started their apprenticeship and not after it ends
  • All training time must be paid no matter whether this takes place at work, college or elsewhere - the training can even be outside normal working hours

Employers can get help and advice on paying the correct minimum wage by:

Sample wage calculations for employers

Worker A

Worker A is an apprentice, aged 18, and works 32 hours per week.

Six of these hours are spent training at college. All training time is classed as working time and must be paid. As this worker is under the age of 19, they are entitled to the apprentice rate of £4.30 per hour.

  • Wage calculation: £4.30 x 32 hours = £137.60 per week

  • Worker A is entitled to be paid at least £137.60 per week.

Worker B

Worker B is 21 and starts a two year apprenticeship with an employer working 32 hours per week.

This worker is entitled to the apprentice rate of £4.30 per hour for the first year and then the higher National Minimum Wage rate of £8.36 for the second year.

  • Wage calculation for year 1: £4.30 x 32 hours = £137.60 per week

  • Wage calculation for year 2: £8.36 x 32 hours = £267.52 per week

At the current rate, worker B is entitled to be paid at least £137.60 per week during their first year and £267.52 per week during their second year of the apprenticeship.

Employers can use the National Minimum Wage calculator to check their wage calculations: www.gov.uk/minimum-wage-calculator-employers

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