Minimum wage and training

[Bomag]

Saw this ad for a trainee reserve assistant, but the wage seems to be well below minimum wage. Is there some get out of jail free clause that allows this?

 

Based at **********************, Somerset

 

£120 per week training allowance, 1 year contract

 

This is an exciting opportunity for an energetic and enthusiastic individual to gain valuable nature reserve experience including habitat management; coppicing, scrub clearance, chainsaw work, brush cutting, gates and fencing.

 

 

A key role for the placement will be at **** *****, with workshop duties such as tool maintenance and construction of information panels.

 

In return, you will receive a weekly training allowance of £120 plus holiday entitlement and the opportunity to gain industry recognised tickets such as, NPTC chainsaw and pesticide as well as First Aid at work.

[bggc]

I reckon it would be a good foot in the door for a young lad looking to get into this trade, getting training and tickets paid for is worth it for starters.

[PeteB]

What is the national minimum wage per week at the mo? Is there a big difference between the NMW and the standard agricultural wage?

[Bomag]

It depends on age and whether your an apprentice

 

 

Apprentices

From pay reference periods starting on or after 1 October 2006 the special rules for apprentices will be extended to apprentices aged over 25. This will mean that:

 

apprentices under age 19 will not qualify for the national minimum wage

apprentices over age 19 and in the first 12 months of their apprenticeship will not qualify for the national minimum wage.

What are the current rates of the national minimum wage?

There are three levels of minimum wage, and the rates from 1 October 2009 are:

 

£5.80 per hour for workers aged 22 years and older

a development rate of £4.83 per hour for workers aged 18-21 inclusive

£3.57 per hour for all workers under the age of 18, who are no longer of compulsory school age

[Charlieh]

its a subsistance payment not a wage, therefore it doesnt have to meet the national minimum wages,

 

~I got £60 a week on my year placement from uni in 2002, its better than many reserves assistants who get nothing and have to volunteer for a year

[plippy]

are you not receiving valued experience and knowlegde, ok its not great pay but if ya tickets are payed for then dont complain, id of jumped at the chance if it was available when i first started