Apprentice Wages

Throughout their apprenticeship Trust apprentices are paid an hourly rate that depends upon the level that they are at. The present minimum  Ordinary Wage rates are:

Level 1	$10.50	From commencement of Level 1 training
Level 2	$11.50	From commencement of Level 2 training provided all Level 1 training requirements are completed.
Level 3	$12.50	From commencement of Level 3 training provided all Level 2 training requirements are completed
Level 4	$13.50	On completion of all requirements for the National Certificate in Plumbing or Gasfitting and other Level 3 training.
Level 5	$14.50	On completion of all requirements of the second of these National Certificates and other Level 3 training.

You may choose to pay an Apprentice more than these minimum rates, particulary if  they are more mature and/or perform well on the job and in their studies.

The Apprentice is also paid whatever wage rate you agree when they are on any form of paid leave and/or training or block courses.

You can also decide to pay the Apprentice either Ordinary wage rates or Flat wage rates.

If the Apprentice is paid Ordinary rates, then under their Employment Agreement they are also paid Overtime for any hours worked after the first 8 hours each day. Overtime rates are at least one and a quarter  times the Ordinary rates, but can be higher eg. One and a half times.

If the Apprentice is paid Flat rates, then thay are paid the same hourly rate irrespective of the number of hours they work each day. The Flat rates are slightly higher than the Ordinary Rates and are based on the average of 40 hours of the Ordinary rates plus 5 hours of Overtime at one and a quarter times the Ordinary rate.

The equivalent Flat Rates to the minimum Ordinary Rates shown below are:

Level 1	$10.79
Level 2	$11.82
Level 3	$12.85
Level 4	$13.88
Level 5	$14.90

 A non taxable Tool Allowance of $0.58 an hour is also paid when apprentices are at work or on block course.  This tooling allowance is paid by the Trust and not charged to the Host Employer.

 The above rates apply from Monday 29 March 2010 and incorporate the increase in the minimum training rate that took effect on 1 April 2010.  

As employees of the Trust apprentices have entitlements to Annual, Sick and Bereavement Leave during which they are paid by the Trust. They are also paid by the Trust whilst on their block courses and the other specialist training courses they undertake as part of their apprenticeship.

The host employer only pays for the time that the Trust apprentice is actually working for them.  This is around  41 weeks of the year - after allowing for 4 weeks Annual Leave, 11 Statutory Hoildays, other training courses, any time off sick or for bereavements and, depending on the level of training, either 3 or 4 weeks of block courses.

Apprentice Enrolment Fees:  This is payable by the apprentice directly to the PGDR ITO and various options to pay fees can be discussed at the time of sign up.