The National Apprenticeship Service is looking into claims of apprentices working "over and above their contracted hours".
According to UnionLearn, the learning and skills organisation of the Trades Union Congress, apprenticeship contracts are being broken by apprentices who do their contracted hours in the workplace and then do their studying on top of those hours, unpaid.
It was mainly with thirty-hour contract apprenticeships according to a UnionLearn spokesperson. Learners would use up their contracted hours spending four days a week in the workplace, and then spend the fifth day on their studies, without pay.
The spokesperson said: “We’ve got concerns that training providers and employers are failing to deal with this problem. The question is whether there’s intent or not to exploit young people."
UnionLearn Director Tom Wilson said: “It is essential that apprentices are protected and valued.
“Apprenticeships are a vital way to ensure that people are learning the skills needed for the UK economy and that they are receiving quality training that will lead to them being highly employable.
“Pay is an essential component of valuing our apprentices. If they are not receiving at least the minimum they are owed, the whole concept of apprenticeships is devalued.
“Given the importance the government has placed on increasing apprenticeships, we know that protecting their ‘brand’ is essential.”
A spokesperson for the National Apprenticeship Service said: "We have been made aware by UnionLearn that . . . some apprentices are working over and above their contracted hours without additional recompense.
“We are committed to the delivery of high quality apprenticeships and require all apprenticeships to be delivered in line with the requirements set out in the Apprenticeship framework and the Statement on Apprenticeship Quality.
“We are talking to UnionLearn, and once the details and evidence of these claims has been assessed, we will work with colleagues across the Skills Funding Agency and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to take appropriate action.”
