Unite fights for apprentices

Unite launched its new Apprentice Charter on Wednesday (February 11) to coincide with National Apprenticeship Week this week.

The charter aims to lobby employers to sign up to minimum standards for apprentices in a bid to drive up their pay, terms and conditions.

The charter covers seven areas, including fair treatment and respect, pay and employment rights, training and development, health, safety and welfare, progression and opportunities, voice and representation and apprentice responsibilities.

Unite’s Apprentice Charter calls for apprentices to be treated with the dignity and respect afforded to workers. Instead of being paid the apprenticeship minimum wage, which is lower than the legal minimum wage for adults, Unite is campaigning for apprentices to be paid at least the Real Living Wage.

The charter also calls on employers to grant apprentices the same basic employment rights as other employees, including entitlement to pay, bonuses, holiday pay, rest breaks, sick pay, and pension contributions.

Unite is also emphatic that apprentices should offer real training, not just be a source of cheap labour as is often the case.

“Apprentices must receive high-quality, structured training both on and off the job, including interview preparation and self-advocacy skills,” the charter reads. Apprenticeships should also lead to permanent jobs.

By signing the charter, employers also agree to allow apprentices to join and be represented by Unite and to be consulted on any changes that affect their work.  

The charter moreover includes responsibilities for apprentices, such as committing to fully engaging with their training, education, and work duties; respecting colleagues and contributing positively to the workplace.

Commenting on the launch of the charter, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said,“Unite represents thousands of young people in apprenticeships and is totally focused on defending and improving their jobs, pay and conditions. Unite is lobbying employers up and down the county to sign up to our charter to ensure fair wages and treatment are baked into their apprenticeships.

“Apprenticeships should be a career pathway to skilled and secure work. While many employers offer this, the government needs to do more to stop bad bosses using apprenticeships as a source of cheap labour with training and contracts that go nowhere.”

Unite national young members coordinator Frazer Lake added, “Unite supports apprentices in defending their rights, improving standards, and building strong futures across all industries. Apprentices who want support with workplace issues and to improve wages and working conditions should join Unite – there is power in a union.”

The launch of Unite’s Apprentice Charter comes as a new analysis found that electricians and welders were the best trades to enter through apprenticeships.

The analysis, by welding specialist Tadweld, looked at earnings data plus demand trends to determine the best trades to enter through apprenticeships. After electricians and welders, HVAC specialists, lift technicians and renewable energy installers rounded out the top 5.

Tadweld’s analysis also looked at 2025 earnings data, which showed that the average salary for the top 20 trades is nearly £39,000 – in line with the median UK salary.

Because people can enter these trades without the debt associated with higher education, Tadweld noted, “This positions apprenticeships as one of the most financially viable entry routes for young people and career changers in 2026, particularly in sectors critical to infrastructure, manufacturing, defence and clean energy.”

Commenting on the analysis, Unite acting national officer for construction Joe Clarke said, “The construction sector as a whole offers a raft of highly skilled jobs with decent pay, terms and conditions in a wide range of roles, from manufacturing operatives to mechanical, electrical and civil engineering roles, among many others.

“Thanks to Unite, the top manufacturers within the construction sector offer good career progression with excellent terms and conditions because they are governed by union agreements negotiated by Unite. Unite in construction will always be at the table, pushing the end agenda of jobs, pay and conditions for workers and apprentices alike. Unite’s Apprentice Charter is part and parcel of this agenda and will serve to drive up standards for all apprenticeships.”

You can read Unite’s Apprentice Charter here.

By Hajera Blagg