Minimum pay
£8 an hour (apprentice rate)
You earn a wage and get holiday pay like any employee, while spending at least 20% of your normal working hours on training. You search and apply on GOV.UK's Find an apprenticeship service.
Quick facts
- Minimum pay
- £8 an hour (apprentice rate)
- After year one
- Your age rate, if 19 or over
- Training
- At least 20% of your working hours, paid
- Holiday
- At least 20 days a year plus bank holidays
- Length
- 8 months to 6 years
Who can start one
To start an apprenticeship you must be 16 or over, living in England and not in full-time education. You can apply while still at school, as long as you are 16 by the end of the summer holidays.
There is no upper age limit on GOV.UK. You can have a previous qualification, like a degree, and still start one. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own schemes.
How much you get paid
The National Minimum Wage rate for an apprentice is £8 per hour. It applies if you are aged under 19, or aged 19 or over and in the first year of your apprenticeship.
Once you are 19 or over and have finished your first year, you get the full minimum wage for your age. For example, an apprentice aged 21 past the first year is entitled to at least £12.71 an hour. The rates change on 1 April every year.
You must be paid for your normal working hours, for training that is part of the apprenticeship, and for study towards English and maths if they are part of it.
Your other rights
You get at least 20 days paid holiday a year, plus bank holidays. At least 20% of your normal working hours must be spent on training, which can be at work, at a college or online.
If you are under 25 when you start and have been in local authority care, you may be able to get a bursary payment. Ask your training provider.
How to find and apply for one
Search the Find an apprenticeship service
Use the GOV.UK service to search and apply for apprenticeships in England.
Sign in or create an account
You need an account to save searches and send applications.
Complete and submit your application
The National Careers Service has advice on writing applications and what to do at interviews.
Ask for feedback if you are not picked
You can ask for feedback if you are not selected for an interview or for the apprenticeship.
Things to watch
Check your contract. Your employment contract should confirm your rate of pay. Use the GOV.UK minimum wage calculator if you think you are being underpaid, and contact Acas for free advice on your rights.
If you were made redundant from an apprenticeship and want to apply again, contact the Apprenticeship helpline at nationalhelpdesk@apprenticeships.gov.uk, or talk to your training provider.
Phone, forms and how long it takes
- Apprenticeship helpline
- 0800 015 0400
- Apprenticeship helpline
- nationalhelpdesk@apprenticeships.gov.uk
- Search and apply for apprenticeships
- GOV.UK: Find an apprenticeship
- If you are not selected
- You can ask for feedback if you are not picked for an interview or for the apprenticeship.
- If you think you were treated unfairly
- You can complain if you think discrimination or an unfair process stopped you getting it.
From the official pages (gov.uk), re-checked every night. Numbers and times can change, so check the official page before you send anything.
Common questions
What is the apprenticeship wage in 2026?
At least £8 an hour if you are under 19, or 19 or over in your first year. After that, it is the minimum wage for your age.
What is the apprenticeship wage if I am under 19?
£8 an hour. If you are under 19, you get the apprentice rate.
Do apprentices get paid for college days?
Yes. You must be paid for training that is part of your apprenticeship.
Can I do an apprenticeship if I already have a degree?
Yes. You can have a previous qualification, like a degree, and still start one.
How much holiday do apprentices get?
At least 20 days paid holiday a year, plus bank holidays.