Earlier this month, apprenticeships and skills minister Anne Milton responded to a series of written parliamentary questions about support for low-income apprentices. Her responses show how far removed she and her colleagues are from the realities of life as an apprentice in the 21st century. 

Cocooned in an air-conditioned listed building, it’s understandably difficult for her to empathise with the daily existence of some of the most poorly-paid members of society. Ministers’ travelling expenses are paid out of the taxpayers’ purse to ensure they are not out of pocket and they earn a salary sufficient to cover even the chronic expense of travel in London. I wouldn’t quibble with any of this, but I would ask the minister for apprenticeships and skills to compare this privileged existence with the people she represents.

Having witnessed at close quarters the very different conditions of two apprentices, I see a very stark difference in the ways in which they are paid and treated.

Apprentice A works in the equine industry on an apprentice wage of £3.70 an hour. Monday is full muck-out day, which means taking all the horses out of their stables, removing all the bedding, wheeling the mess out to the muck heap on a heavy wheelbarrow and depositing it before returning to repeat the process many times. It’s back-breaking work. Fortunately, this Monday, the sun is shining. This winter and early spring have been wet in the extreme, with more snow than usual. This makes pushing the barrow much harder, but it’s a consolation to know that all the extra effort keeps the apprentice warm for the time being.

Apprentice B works in a white-collar occupation and is paid £5.50 an hour, is allowed the benefits of flexi-time, occasionally has to cover late meetings and is maintaining spreadsheets, learning to negotiate with suppliers and, other parties. There is no need to leave the office; all business can be transacted by email and over the phone.

Of course, there are real benefits to be had from both experiences.

Apprentice A may have to occasionally dodge hooves and teeth from nervous horses, but has learned how to break-in young horses and improve riding skills as well as stable management.

Apprentice B has developed confidence in social and professional situations and finds considerable satisfaction in bringing about solutions.

Both enjoy being part of close-knit teams and are developing the so-called soft skills that will make them independent, resourceful people in their contexts. Both learn on the job and have some input from apprenticeship providers. The apprentices’ contacts can have very large and diverse caseloads. Unsurprisingly, recruitment of supervisors can be difficult. Some apprentices have gaps in provision because there is no one to come out and see them.

Neither gets travelling expenses and so it cannot be a surprise that Apprentice A has needed financial support from parents from time to time to keep going.

Their experiences, job security and benefits (such as they are) reflect the nature of the industries that employ them. The equine industry is deeply rural and usually consists of small businesses - with all the insecurity that entails. Local authorities and large companies can offer a more secure experience.

Apprenticeships have so much to offer holistically, but those abstract benefits don’t pay the bills. It must be remembered that those learning on the job actually work very hard, so it is deeply unfair when their labour counts for as little as £3.70 an hour. They are caught between two stools. In full-time education, they would receive some benefits; in full-time employment, they would receive work-related benefits to compensate for low pay. Let’s not forget that the minimum wage is not enough to live on, and more principled employers pay the living wage. 

But because apprentices are neither fully workers nor fully students, they cannot be paid any more and the state will not support them at all. If we really want to create a more equitable society we might use the apprenticeship levy to pay all apprentices the minimum wage, travelling expenses and ensure that those who are supporting them most closely are properly remunerated too.

Yvonne Williams is head of English and drama at a school in the south of England