Contradiction In Apprenticeship Wage?

Caporegime
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A little back story.

Until June 24th 2015 I was working full time, I had applied for a Level 2 Apprenticeship in the I.T department at my local College (I thought this would be the absolute best place to gain experience in an official capacity).

I knew my wage would be 2.73 per hour, until October where it'd increase to 3.30, and if I was progressed to a second year, that I'd meet conditions to be extended to minimum wage for my age (Due to my age, and going into a second year)

Anyway, fast forward to now, I've just been approved for a Level 3, and I went onto ; https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates to check the Living Wage (Which is what I'd be entitled to once October hits because of my age)

And I think I've noticed a contradiction in Apprenticeship pay ;

Apprentices

Apprentices can get the apprentice rate if they’re under 19 or in the first year of their apprenticeship.

They’re entitled to the minimum wage for their age if they either:

are 19 or over

have completed their first year

Doesn't the text in bold contradict the former? The former stipulates that you'd basically be entitled to 3.30 per hour until you're neither 19 anymore, nor in your first year. Yet the "either" in the bold text would stipulate only one condition needs to be met?

Am I just being silly, or does the Government page have two contradicting set of conditions?
Or, has the Apprenticeship wage stipulation changed? And if so, when?
 
What?

It seems crystal clear from that quote.

You get minimum wage if:

a) You are over 19
or
b) You are under 19, but have been on your apprenticeship for more than a year.

So that means:

Under 19 and under a year? No min wage
Under 19 and over a year in the job? Min wage
Over 19 and under a year? Min wage
 
I agree with Fox in terms of that being how I read it, but you are right in that...

"They’re entitled to the minimum wage for their age if they either:

are 19 or over
have completed their first year"

... Does mean something different to the earlier statement on the page.

Personally I think it's easy to work out what they mean, despite the fact that it isn't explained as perfectly as it could be.
 
[TW]Fox;29598829 said:
What?

It seems crystal clear from that quote.

You get minimum wage if:

a) You are over 19
or
b) You are under 19, but have been on your apprenticeship for more than a year.

So that means:

Under 19 and under a year? No min wage
Under 19 and over a year in the job? Min wage
Over 19 and under a year? Min wage

The first part contradicts that though "Apprentices can get the apprentice rate if they’re under 19 or in the first year of their apprenticeship".
It's basically saying you can be on Apprentice rate if you're in your first year, it isn't linked in to the under.

But this thread thus far is proving the point lol.
 
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https://www.unionlearn.org.uk/how-much-do-apprentices-get-paid

Going by this, the first statement is correct, and the second should be "both".

So, the apprentice wage is for 16-18 year olds, and those in their first year.

See, that's the way I'd always seen it.
It's just with it being a Government website, and also last updated in May (I thought the stipulations may have changed, as frankly they're a bit silly with the wage anyway)
 
The statement:-

Apprentices can get the apprentice rate if they’re under 19 or in the first year of their apprenticeship.

Is correct.

The second statement:-

They’re entitled to the minimum wage for their age if they either:
are 19 or over
have completed their first year

Is incorrect.

The second statement is superfluous in light of the first statement imho and not needed.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
[TW]Fox;29598868 said:
I honestly cannot see how it's ambiguous?

because it is

first line

'Apprentices can get the apprentice rate if they’re under 19 or in the first year of their apprenticeship.'

so IF you're < 19 OR you're in first year you fall into that category

then:

'They’re entitled to the minimum wage for their age if they either:

are 19 or over
have completed their first year'

so IF you're >19 OR completed first year

--------------------------------------------------------------

OP is > 19 AND in first year... he fits into both categories... thus the ambiguity
 
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