"...When I started my first day at work, I felt comfortable and prepared because of the support I had received from the
Way to Work team..."
How do I become a Way to Work apprentice?
Stage 1
- Look at our current vacancies page, and select an apprenticeship job that you would like to apply for.
- Complete the online application form, and we will contact you to make an appointment for you to visit us for an interview at our offices in Twickenham, Middlesex.
- We then interview you and give you further information about your selected vacancy and the qualifications.
Stage 2
- If you are successful, we will arrange for you to attend a competitive interview with the employer.
- Once you have had a first interview, you may be required to have a second interview or work trial.
- We will give you feedback after each stage of the interview process.
Stage 3
- Once you are offered a job, you will have a three week "settling-in" period at work before you start your apprenticeship training.
- An agreed number of working hours are allocated for your apprenticeship.
- An NVQ Assessor visits you and your employer regularly to assist you through your apprenticeship.
- Way to Work provide an excellent support and monitoring service throughout your training period.
All our employers agree to a Way to Work employer contract which ensures fair work and training conditions. they agree to comply with Way to Work Equal Opportunities and Health & Safety policies and requirements.
Personal Safety
Pesonal safety is important to us all, and we feel that young people need extra guidance when it comes to taking care of themselves whilst traveling. The safety leaflet on the left is provided free for your information, and designed to give you useful tips and information to help improve your personal safety. These tips are suggestions only and should not be regarded as comprehensive sources of advice.
For further advice regarding personal safety and awareness please visit the Suzy Lamplugh Trust website.
Way to Work Apprenticeship Salaries
Pay rates are regularly reviewed, with most vacancies starting at a minimum of £150 per week.
The following table is a typical EXAMPLE of the Way to Work salary structure for an apprentice.
All amounts shown are (before Tax and National Insurance is deducted)
Duration of Apprenticeship |
Hourly Rate of |
Weekly Rate of Pay |
Monthly Rate of Pay £ |
Cumulative |
Start of |
£4.18/hr |
£150.00 |
£650.00 |
N/A |
6 month |
£4.72/hr |
£170.00 |
£737.00 |
£8,322.00 |
Start of Second Year |
£5.98/hr |
£215.00 |
£932.00 |
N/A |
6 month |
£6.61/hr |
£238.00 |
£1,032.00 |
£11,706.00 |
National Minimum Wage Rates (NMW)
There are three rates of National Minimum Wage (NMW). They are based on recommendations of an independent body, 'The Low Pay Commission'.
1. The main (adult) rate applies to workers aged 22 and over and is currently £5.73 per hour.
2. The NMW development rate is currently £4.77 an hour.
The development rate applies to 18 to 21-year-olds but may also apply to workers aged 22 and over during the first six months in new employment, who are receiving accredited training. For the training to apply there must be a written agreement between the worker and the employer, specifying that the worker will attend training on at least 26 days during the first six months of employment.
3. The third NMW rate applies to 16 to 17-year-old workers who are above school leaving age. It is currently £3.53 per hour. Apprentices under the age of 19 are not entitled to the NMW and apprentices over 19 are exempt in their first year. (Business Link)
Does the Way to Work Scheme comply with the (NMW)?
16 – 17 year olds
The current NMW for 16 – 17 year olds is £3.53 per hour. Although Apprentices are actually exempt from NMW requirements, the Way to Work scheme will have a starting salary of £4.18 which will rise as outlined in the table above, so is therefore compliant with the NMW for this age group.
18 – 21 year olds
The current NMW development rate which applies to 18 –21 year olds is £4.77 per hour. Apprentices will actually be starting on £4.18 per hour, and although this is £0.59 less than the NMW guidelines for this age group, apprentices are exempt from NMW requirements in their first year.
It is required that apprentices who are 19+ must be paid NMW from the start of their second year. The table above shows that the starting salary in the second year is £5.98 (rising to £6.61 after 6 months). The Way to Work apprenticeship scheme is therefore also compliant with the NMW for this age group.
22 +
The NMW rate for 22+ is £5.73 per hour. Our salary guidelines start at £4.18 per hour, and although this is lower than the NMW guidelines for 22+ we are legally compliant, as apprentices over the age of 19 are also exempt in their first year. It is required that apprentices who are 19+ must be paid NMW from the second year and, as the table above shows, the starting salary in the second year is £6.98 (rising to £6.61 after 6 months). The apprenticeship scheme is therefore also leagally compliant with the NMW for this age group.
