- Conference
- 2021 National Young Members' Conference
- Date
- 6 August 2021
- Decision
- Carried
In 2019/20, there were 719,000 people participating in an apprenticeship in England, with 322,500 apprenticeship starts and 146,900 apprenticeship achievements.
The NHS alone currently has 14,000 apprentices.
In spite of these high numbers, union membership amongst apprentices remains very low
There is often a great misunderstanding of apprentices. A common assumption is that apprentices are all of college age
Apprentices are often poorly paid, with a much lower minimum wage set for them. Apprentices are open to being treated as cheap labour by an employer and reports of bullying, abuse and harassment are not uncommon. Apprentices are not always made aware of their rights at work.
There is often a great misunderstanding of apprenticeships. A common assumption is that apprentices are all of college age yet just only half of apprentices are aged under 25.
Apprenticeships are a great way for people to enter the workforce and apprentices should get the respect and recognition that they deserve.
Conference asks the National Young Members Forum (NYMF) to call on UNISONs National Executive Committee) NEC to put the recruitment and activist development of apprentices as a UNISON priority. We also ask for the NYMF to develop a campaign around improving the pay and strengthening the rights of apprentices.
By focusing on these actions, the trade union movement will be stronger and the rights of workers better respected.