3rd Year apprentice. Am i getting the going rate?

[accordfire]

TBH I find it offensive that you are saying Apprentices should basicaly be gratfull to have work if they are employed then they deserve the going rate ( probably around 75% of JIB relisticaly ) as for these boys offering services for free many having come from college courses and not having experience onsite CSCS ect ect unlike the OP many of the "Free labour" brigade couldnt wire a plug unsupervised

Woah, big boy.

I don't think GStuey was making an unqualified, Fagan like comment.

What he was getting at was reality.

And the reality, certainly down here, is that JIB grading or not, guys are wondering round companies, offering themselves for free, or less than the going rate, just to get a foot in the door.

Lots of companies will take that offer, just to have a chance of improving already seriously battered margins. And if the "free" labour they pick up can't wire a plug unsupervised, there's always the next one in line. That's how it is at the moment. Irrespective of qualifications, JIB, or any of it.

I agree with you - in an ideal world, they DO deserve the going rate, and more - but this ain't an ideal world. It's a commercial one.

Stuey's comment was more aimed at the fact that it is HARD for these lads to get work, and this economic climate isn't the time to be shouting from the rooftops that you want more. There's too many other lads willing to do it for the rate on offer, and it is an easy commercial decision to out the guy wanting more for one who doesn't.

So, in that sense, grateful that he has work, where so many others don't. Why's that offensive?

 

[malcolmsanford]

To be honest guys this is not a sign of the times but something that as been going on in our trade for years. It was the same for me 30 odd years ago as a 3rd yr apprentice you were expected to work on instructions, a woe betide if you got it wrong as it was back to sweeping up and going to the wholesalers.

It's all part of a learning curve and I reckon even in good times most apprentices were not paid what they think they are worth, is any of us.

 

[Damon]

When i was an apprentice everyday i was biting my tongue working long hours for no extra pay & call outs on weekends!.

As people say get qualified then weigh up your options.Most bosses now can get apprentices for nowt , have the training scheme provider pay their wages and they get a grant to take them on. So dont believe everything they say " you cost me a fortune" yeeerrrr rrriittee oooh!

Not quite true, I contacted Business Link and asked if I take on an apprentice as I am self employed how much would I geot towards training etc....They would give me £35 per week but I still BY LAW had to pay the apprentice at least £95.
I know at least five 18 year olds at my local college who cant get enrolled on an Electrical Advanced Apprenticeship simply because although theyre working in the industry full time, because they are unpaid volunteers they cannot be official apprentices, Kinda makes me sick especially when I know some guys who have been unemployed for years and dont want a job but happy to scrounge all the handouts from the goverment when it comes to training( fully funded college courses etc....)!!
The kids at college are solely enrolled on the C&G 2330 Level 3 only and not the NVQ 3 Course.
These unscruptulous companies named & shamed in my opinion, Just taking the mickey out of young guys desperate to learn the trade.