How much is the National Minimum Wage?

There are different levels of National Minimum Wage, depending on the age of the worker. The rates from 1 October 2006 are as follows:

• young people (those older than school leaving age and younger than 18, you're under school leaving age until the end of summer term of the school year in which you turn 16) receive £3.30 an hour (From 1 October 2007 this will increase to £3.40)
• a 'development rate' of £4.45 an hour is paid to workers aged 18 to 21 inclusive (From 1 October 2007 this will increase to £4.60)
• adults (which means people aged 22 and over) receive the full rate of £5.35 an hour (From 1 October 2007 this will increase to £5.52)

Apprentices under the age of 19 are not entitled to the National Minimum Wage. Apprentices who are 19 or over and in the first 12 months of their apprenticeship are not entitled to the National Minimum Wage.

For more information please go to www.connexions-derbyshire.org

Apprenticeships are work-based qualifications designed specifically for you if you are aged between 16 and 24. They offer you the opportunity to start your career through a combination of learning options and work experience.

As an Apprentice you'll spend two or three years working for an employer, while also studying towards an NVQ. You will also be covering those vital Key Skills that employers are so keen on - things like teamwork and communication. As an apprentice you may also attend college or a training centre, as well as being trained on the job by your training provider

The great news is that you can do an Apprenticeship in almost anything - from Engineering to Horse Care and from Travel to IT.