Low pay for apprentices a 'national scandal' - Connect

A new survey has highlighted low pay and course delays being faced by craft apprentices.

The research by the Connect Trade Union shows that 46% of respondents reported getting paid less than €7 per hour of work during a stage of their apprenticeship.

More than a quarter said their employer had paid them below agreed minimum pay rates, which can already be below the State minimum wage.

More than 90% reported being paid less than the minimum wage during a stage of their apprenticeship.

More than half of those surveyed said that completion of their apprenticeship had been delayed by more than one year.

Connect said the findings point to a crisis in the apprenticeship system and should be a national scandal.

"On one hand apprenticeships are being lauded by the Government as key to solving the housing crisis and tackling climate change through a just transition. On the other hand, apprentices are being neglected," said Connect Trade Union Assistant General Secretary Brian Nolan.

"The results of the Connect National Craft Apprentices Survey starkly highlight issues that are deeply concerning for the young workers directly affected and on a wider scale the possibility of solving the housing crisis and other major social projects in this generation," Mr Nolan said.

The survey of 802 apprentices is being launched today to coincide with Connect's Biennial Delegate Conference and a National Apprenticeship Summit which are being held in Athlone.

The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science said that since January there has been a 40% increase in craft apprenticeship training capacity, and that the vast majority of craft apprentices are completing their training in four years.

"This Department has commissioned independent research to review the landscape of apprentice pay," a spokesperson said.

"The vast majority of craft apprentices rates exceed the minimum wage by year three," the Department said.