is £180 a week enough and is it worth paying £1500 for nvq and am2 via JTL

Trainee_Ryan · Feb 23, 2012

Hi guys, basically i had an apprenticeship when i was younger did around 3 years gained 2330 levels 2 and 3 then left to join army. Since then i decided to leave the army as they couldnt offer me my job choice and ended up joining on false hope of transfering once in there, anyway i have worked as a mate for like 8 months and for last 6 for an employer as apprentice 3rd year, i can be left to 1st and 2nd fix standard circuits, and install containment and also have own tools i feel i am being under paid on £180 a week. i now face a decision as my employer has since arranged with jtl to start me again on the scheme at a cost of £1500 to ME, now the plan is £20 a week from my wage goes to jtl therefore i have £160 pw, i dont really now if to invest in becoming qualified as the way things are going it seems pointless plus since leaving the army the raf have called me and said that they will be recruiting this year unsure when for genral tech electrical i am also interested in joining the raf as gen tech so dont want to pump money into jtl only to quit half way through, but on the other hand could be waiting for ages for raf so im like confused as **** what to do. any advice??

sorry about all the bad grammer..:bucktooth:

vernam616 · Feb 25, 2012

piratebillybob said:
My point was more to clarify how many hours a week youre actually doing

Getting "£180 per week" is meaningless without the amount of hours youre actually working.

If youre only working 10 hours a week and getting paid £180 (therefore getting paid £18 an hour) then i would say thats fantastic

if however youre working 37 hours a week and getting paid £180 then your hourly rate is just £4.86 which is illegal on your employers part.

you need to make sure youre getting at least £6.08 an hour.

Not illegal for someone training/apprentice

SirKit Breaker · Feb 25, 2012

Just be aware, i have heard that JTL are in trouble financially, so watch your money.

Trainee_Ryan · Feb 25, 2012

my average week is around 37.5 - 40+ hrs. Also i have heard that yes if a trainee/apprentice they can pay u like £2.5ph silly like that but also heard that if your over 19 (which i am) and not in 1st year of training it has to be min wage which for me would be £6.08.. which is correct?? Also to andy i dont think jtl accept people on agencies must be full time employer etc. As for JTL being in financial difficulty i wondered why they are letting me pay for training haha as it is meant to be a only the employer that pays apprently. Another thing as for 'would i need the nvq3 etc. when i leave the raf' NO i would have gained more quals in there anyway, but again its a case of can never have enough certs nowadays!!

piratebillybob · Feb 25, 2012

it is illegal even for someone who is training or someone whos an apprentice

the apprenticeship website at

http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/Employers/The-Basics.aspx

clearly states that:

"A National Minimum Wage for apprentices was introduced on 1 October 2010. The wage applies to all apprentices aged under 19; and apprentices aged 19 or over in the first year of their Apprenticeship."

As the Op is over 19 and not in the first year of their apprenticeship they must be paid the national minimum wage of £6.08 an hour.

The days where you could pay someone peanuts while dangling an Apprenticeship carrot are over. The guidelines are pretty black and white with no ambiguity.

Also if the employer is breaking the law regarding pay then are you even on their books? Are you insured when you work there?

piratebillybob · Feb 25, 2012

Q&As - Apprenticeships

also states that

"Apprentices aged 19 or over who have already spent a year on their Apprenticeship must be paid at least the full National Minimum Wage (NMW) rate appropriate to their age."

ezzzekiel · Feb 25, 2012

how old are you? what financial commitments do you have?, you are being offered a golden opportunity to serve an apprentiship £180 may seem low but the time will fly and if its only beer money then go for it - if however its a forces career you are wanting then no point wasting your (and your employers time) give someone else the chance of the apprentiship.

it was your choice to give up on college and you cant expect to be paid a sparks wage when youre unqualified even if you do know what your doing. But i get the impression you dont know what you want - started college quit joined forces, quit forces started college, quit college rejoin forces

gavin26 · Feb 25, 2012

Better than being sat on your backside!

Trainee_Ryan · Feb 25, 2012

Im 21 and yes maybe abit confused as to what route to take to benifit me, as we all know the way things are i dont want to pay £1500 (more financial commitment) only to end up with a jib card and a JSA income if you know what im saying. Also not after a sparks rate but the 3rd yr rate wouldnt go a miss i understand 100% all my own doing leaving when younger etc and believe me im paying the price but just doesnt seem right im doing all the work while this so called spark working with me (doesnt have 17th or nvq, C&G etc) foots my ladder for £80 or so a day!! So really if thats the way an apprenticeship is even for an older trainee you can see why its hard to accept and JUST GET ON WITH IT.

gavin26 · Feb 25, 2012

Grab the experience mate

Trainee_Ryan · Feb 25, 2012

totally agree pal, but i am in financial difficulty already and right now would be better of working at tesco tbh, i understand bigger picture etc but then again if bigger picture is 200+ sparks in a 20mie radius and me and my gold card at back of dole line then..
I dont really know were im expecting this debate to go like but just wanted sparks views etc lol. As my mum always says your going to do what your going to do Regardless!!!!