To ask the Minister for the Economy what action her Department is taking to ensure that apprentices and interns are compensated fairly for the work they undertake for businesses.

An apprenticeship is a job combining work, training and study allowing the individual to earn while they learn. Apprenticeships play a hugely important role in our skills system and generate strong labour market and wage returns for participants.

My Department supports two apprenticeship programmes:

 ApprenticeshipsNI (Level 2 and Level 3)

 Higher level Apprenticeships (HLAs) (Level 4 and above)

Under the ApprenticeshipsNI programme, DfE funds the cost of off-the-job training for apprentices aged 16-24 undertaking a Level 2 or Level 3 apprenticeship programme. Funding support for off-the-job training for apprentices aged 25 years and over is set at fifty percent of that available for 16-24 year olds and is focused on priority economic areas. Funding for HLAs is not currently subject to an age cap or limited by priority economic sector.

As with any employee, apprentice wages are the responsibility of the employer.

The apprentice’s wage should be commensurate with the industry rate for that job and, in accordance with the National Minimum Wage (NMW) regulations, which can be found at https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/national-minimum-wage-and-living-wage

The Department’s Training for Success (TfS) programme, primarily designed for young people aged 16 – 17, provides participants with the opportunity to complete work related qualifications and gain experience in a work placement in their chosen occupational area to assist them in their progression to employment/further training or study. TfS participants receive a weekly non means-tested Educational Maintenance Allowance of £40 per week. In addition, assistance is provided towards the costs of travel and, where required, the cost of childcare. Disability Support is also provided for young people with a disability in order that they can fully benefit from their training.

The Further Education Colleges have a large number of students engaging in work-based learning courses, either as a core part of their programme or at the choice of the student. These courses include relevant work experience which is undertaken alongside a course of study and may include, internships, work placement and work experience.

The work experience enables the students to gain real world experience and any remuneration, which can vary considerably, is at the discretion of the employer e.g. they may reimburse for travel expenses. The colleges have no record of the nature of any discretionary payment on the part of the employer as this is not the primary purpose of internships.