Almost all employers are willing to pay more than the typical apprenticeship wage for the “right” candidate
The vast majority of UK employers are willing to pay more than the typical apprenticeship wage, new research shows.
More than nine in 10 (92 per cent) of respondents to a survey from apprenticeship group Positive Outcomes said they would be willing to offer more than the typical wage if they were matched with the “right” candidate for the role.
The current minimum wage rate for an apprentice is £3.30 per hour.
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The survey of 100 employers also showed 60 per cent of bosses would be willing to pay between £12,000 and £18,000 as a starting salary for an apprenticeship-qualified employee.
This is more than the £10,300 salary an 18 to 20-year-old would earn in a minimum wage (£5.30 per hour), 37.5 hour week.
A Positive Outcomes study of 227 young adults earlier this year suggested 88 per cent of respondents were put off an apprenticeship due to wages being too low.
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"The combined research findings have certainly thrown up an interesting suggestion," Ryan Longmate, managing director of positive outcomes, said.
"That, despite young people thinking otherwise, employers are open-minded when it comes to pay and that, should the right candidate come along, they're willing to pay more than the standard wage."