Women ‘behind in apprenticeship pay’

A new report says that female apprentices earn up to a fifth less than their male counterparts.

It suggests that apprenticeships are more likely to go to men due to discrimination in the labour market, and the types of jobs for which training schemes are available. Unesco’s 10th Education for All Global Monitoring Report says that when it comes to apprenticeships, a gender pay gap still exists in the UK.

On completion of apprenticeships men experience a 20% wage increase while women only receive 4%. The report says that worldwide, “apprentices are often more likely to be men because of discrimination in the labour market and the types of occupations for which apprenticeships are available”. The report adds: “Young women who have taken apprenticeships get paid less in them, find it harder to get a job and receive lower pay once they are in work.”

For an apprentice in the first year of training, or under the age of 19, the minimum hourly rate is £2.65.

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