This Apprenticeship Week, join a union

How can joining a trade union help you during your apprenticeship?

Rates of pay

Unions want apprentices to be paid fairly for the work they do. An apprenticeship is a training role, so that doesn’t mean being paid the same as longstanding workers right away. But apprentice pay should rise towards permanent workers’ rates within a reasonable period of time.

Significantly lower apprentice pay rates could mean the apprentice is being exploited, and can also undermine negotiated rates of pay for the job. So unions will negotiate to make sure that apprentices are paid a fair wage.

Job role

Unions will also be keen to ensure that apprenticeships are real jobs with a productive purpose. Apprentices shouldn’t just be used to cover monotonous work that nobody else wants to do. It’s also a union priority that apprentices don’t take away the jobs of existing workers.

A genuine opportunity

Apprenticeships should lead to genuine career opportunities in the workplace. Unions aim to ensure that apprentices get taken on as permanent employees following completion of their apprenticeship.

Unions’ workplace reps will monitor these issues and make sure good practices are maintained, so let your rep know if you have any concerns.

English, maths and digital skills

Some apprentices need to develop their English, maths or digital skills in order to complete their apprenticeship. Unions will negotiate suitable additional paid time for apprentices to work towards achieving these skills, and workplace reps will make sure your employer sticks by agreements on that.

Some unions have lots of experience in helping workers improve their skills in these areas, so may be able to provide extra support for apprentices.

Union learning reps, if your workplace has them, can help find good sources of extra help.

Additional training needs

Some unions have also developed online training portals, through which members can access a vast range of extra training – often it’s completely free to union members.

There’s sure to be something that can help you towards your apprenticeship. So talk to your union learning rep, or speak to your union’s lifelong learning team to see what’s on offer.

Equality, diversity and dignity at work

Trade unions stand for equality for all workers. We believe every worker should be treated with dignity at work, and not treated badly because they are in some way different to other workers.

Unions negotiate and agree workplace policies with employers, designed to prevent all forms of discrimination and harassment. We then monitor how well employers put policy into practice, and tackle any incidents where policies haven’t been followed.

Try our union finder to find the right union for you during your apprenticeship.

How Wales TUC helps trade unions to support apprentices in the workplace

Unions understand that access to education and training makes a big difference to improving the lives of working people.

Wales TUC helps trade unions by:

• Supporting unions to work with employers to develop and improve apprenticeship programmes
• Supporting union reps, ULRs and other union members to work directly with apprentices, supporting them to complete their apprenticeship and build their careers
• Providing resources, policy development, research and information to apprentices and union reps
• Campaigning on issues impacting apprentices, such as low pay, poor training and lack of progression in work