Decent pay for a second year apprentice

[2ndyearspark]

Hi all just wondering as to what everyone thinks is a decent wage for someone in my situation. I am currently in my second year working towards the c&g 2357. I have a few extra courses/cards such as:
Portable appliance testing (City and Guilds 2377)
CSCS Card (also JIB/ECS Apprentice card)
Emergency First Aid
Confined Space & Breathing Apparatus
Hazardous Substance Awareness
National Water Hygiene Card (EUSR)
Drager Approved (Install & calibrate sensors)

I am regularly left and trusted to work by myself putting up containment, running and glanding cables and terminating. I have also built a few simple panels incorporating relays, terminals, switches, lights, displays etc. and involved in some design features. I also drive the company vehicle to site (upto 3hours drive usually).

Just wondering what you think is a decent wage as I'm on £6.50 p/h And I have a friend who is on more than me stacking shelves in asda lol I am 21 years old if that helps

 

[Resu]

I'm the same age and around the same level as yourself mate and get the SJIB minimum (£5.98/hr), I do feel slightly underpaid but accept that I'm lucky in a way to have an apprenticeship in this day and age (sounding like an old man lol) and I'm lucky to be getting paid to learn something that I enjoy doing. It'll be worth it all one day!

 

[simpson93]

just above minimum wage.

 

[Brightspark2]

Seems good for a second year apprentice...


I'd say you where lucky getting the chance to do the extra courses too...

The thing is your mate will always be earning that where as you will be earning 2 to 3 times more...

 

[7029 dave]

We have all been there it's all part of being an apprentice!!.

 

[2ndyearspark]

I'm the same age and around the same level as yourself mate and get the SJIB minimum (£5.98/hr), I do feel slightly underpaid but accept that I'm lucky in a way to have an apprenticeship in this day and age (sounding like an old man lol) and I'm lucky to be getting paid to learn something that I enjoy doing. It'll be worth it all one day!

thanks nice to hear from someone in the same position

 

[Octopus]

Just remember, if you mate always stacks shelves his pay will stay the same. Once you've completed your apprenticeship you WILL earn more. Be patient. Life is like that.

 

[2ndyearspark]

There's definitely light at the end of the tunnel, by JIB pay rate there's a big increase between 2nd to 3rd year

 

[kingeri]

When I was an apprentice I started on two and a half quid an hour. Admittedly that was in 1998. It was certainly more than I got before that doing my paper rounds! It's all relative I suppose, back then I still lived with my mum and everything I earned I got to spend on myself. Seemed like a fortune to me at first! I still remember being desperate for a top pf the range Sony DVD player, dropped 600 quid on it. Still have it, still looks the bollox under the TV. Bit miffed that you can buy 'em for twenty quid now though!

Sorry, not particularly helpful waffling there. But I'd say stick at it and be thankful that you've got your foot in the door of a hopefully decent company that will look after you in the longer term. Try to focus on where you plan to be in three to five years time. If you continue to prove yourself to be a hard worker who produces excellent results, then you will hopefully be set for years to come!

 

[7029 dave]

I started on 99p per hour back in 1979, along time ago!!.

 

[guest119]

Dont forget your hourly rate was designed for a 17 year old.
22p an hour 1st year I got. 18th June 1973.
18p for half a gallon of 4 star in my moped.

Boydy.

 

[Dcf]

Boydy is correct in the fact the 2 nd year wage is designed for 17 year old,which doesn't help you much at 21
1988 my 2nd year 52 quid a week ,my maw took 20 of that.
no van ,dropped off, public transport,or shanks pony( the van for all is a relatively recent invention)
I had the same thoughts as you all they years ago and got the same advice
your mate in tesco is better off than you but you will be better off than him in the long run.
hang in and get your time out...just think of the bling you can buy with the superstar wages eh?

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

Haha I can not believe apprentices these days! I was on £120 a week for about 50hours in my second year and I was left to wire new builds on my own! That was in 2004! It's always a **** wage as an apprentice and there will be thousands getting no where near what you are!! Spoilt generation!

 

[appspark]

Some folk on here seem to be reminded that not every apprentice is living with mum and dad and 16/17, i'm 24 started out last year, 300 miles from home living on my own, i get £7.27 an hour(SJIB rates). Sounds like a lot but doesn't stretch far once you consider i need a car for work, rent etc. Also just done a quick calculation, spinks, your wage was £120 you say in 2004, today the equivalent with inflation is £156. £120 doesn't go as far today as it id nearly 10 years ago.