Apprenticeship Agreement

Why you need an Apprenticeship Agreement

In 2009, the Parliament passed the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act, which essentially gives Apprentices the same rights as an employee would have. This means that the same particulars that must be outlined in an employment contract must also be included into an apprenticeship agreement.

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What is an Apprenticeship Agreement

Essentially, an Apprenticeship Agreement will read like an Employment Contract; outlining what, where, and when of a role and how much they will be paid. You'll also need to include benefits that will also be included, along with details of annual leave and any probationary period details. The real difference is related to training, some apprenticeship programs have training requirements specific to the sector they are in. Also, the employer shall retain the right to choose whether a job is offered at the end of the apprenticeship.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need an Apprenticeship Agreement in place for my apprentices?

A: Yes. Apprentices have the same rights as employees and therefore a contract must be in place that outlines the statutory basics (pay, hours, benefits, role, position, etc) outlined in the Employment Rights Act 1996.

Q: Can I use my Employment Contract instead of making an Apprenticeship Agreement?

A: It is certainly possible to use your Employment Contract as a baseplate for creating an Apprenticeship Agreement. Of course, changes will need to be made, particularly because apprenticeships are required to spend at least 20% of their hours in training, and most likely aren’t in a permanent position. However, when adapting an employment contract, be sure to make sure apprentices are on similar terms as an employee (such as juniors) otherwise there could be a potential claim for unfair discrimination.

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