Employer FAQ’s
Our Connexions Personal Advisers work with employers all the time. These are the common questions employers ask us. Use the page links to get the answers.
How much do I have to pay a young employee?
Can I access funding for training young employees?
How long might training last and where is it?
What are Diplomas?
Is a young person entitled to study time?
When can I employ a school leaver
Do young people have the same rights as adult employees?
How much do I have to pay a young employee?
Nearly all workers in the UK above the compulsory school leaving age are legally entitled to be paid a minimum amount per hour. Each year this rate is reviewed and any increases take place in October.
The minimum amount that has to be paid per hour to workers depends on their age. From October 2008 the rates are:
- For young people above school leaving age and under 18 - £3.53
- For young people aged 18-21 - £4.77
- For people aged 22 and above - £5.73
All employed apprentices who are funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) must receive a minimum income of £80 per week.
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Q. Can I access funding for training young employees?
Government funding is available for Apprenticeships and other accredited training programmes.
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Q. If there is training involved, how long will it take and where does it take place?
The length of any training will depend on the capabilities of the young person and the length and content of the course. It could be day release over several years, or block release of one or more weeks at any one time. The training can be in the workplace, at a local college or with a Government funded Training Provider.
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Q. What are Diplomas?
Diplomas are qualifications for 14 to 19 year-olds. They were introduced in England in September 2008 and Medway has been at the forefront of their development. Diplomas offer young people a more practical, hands-on way of gaining the essential skills employers such as yourself look for.
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Q. Is a young person entitled to time off to study when they start work?
Young employees aged 16-17, who have not reached a Level 2 qualification have the right to paid time off for study or training for approved qualifications. It has been proven that there are benefits for employers who have well- trained staff.
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Q. When can I employ a school leaver?
You may employ a school leaver on a full time basis, after they reach their statutory school leaving date - that is the last Friday in June. This includes young people who turn 16 in July or August.
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Q. Do young people have the same rights as employees aged over 18?
Yes, all of the contractual rights your adult workers enjoy apply to young people e.g. holiday pay, contracts of emploment, payslips, breaks, maternity and sick pay, job description.
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