Apprenticeship & Young Worker Employment Contracts

Employing apprentices and young workers requires carefully drafted employment documentation that reflects both standard employment law requirements and the additional rules that apply to training, fixed-term arrangements, working hours, rest breaks, supervision and the employment of under-18s.

This section contains contract templates for employers taking on apprentices or young workers in England and Wales. The templates are designed to help employers set out clear terms from the start of employment, including job role, training commitments, pay, holidays, sickness absence, pension arrangements, disciplinary and grievance procedures, confidentiality, data protection, notice and termination.

Employers must provide employees and workers with a written statement of their main employment terms by the first day of employment. These templates are structured to help employers meet that requirement while also addressing the specific issues that arise when employing apprentices or young people aged 16 to 18.

Which Apprenticeship or Young Worker Contract Should I Use?

The most suitable template will depend on whether the individual is an apprentice in England on an approved apprenticeship standard, an apprentice in Wales or on an older framework, or a young worker who is not employed under an apprenticeship arrangement.

Approved English Apprenticeship Agreement

The Approved English Apprenticeship Agreement is intended for employers taking on an apprentice in England where the apprenticeship is connected to an approved apprenticeship standard.

This agreement is suitable where the apprentice will work for the employer while receiving training and instruction in a specific skill, trade or occupation. It records the apprentice’s employment status, job role, apprenticeship standard, training provider, working hours, pay, holiday entitlement, sickness absence arrangements and termination provisions.

The agreement makes clear that the apprentice is employed under a contract of employment rather than a traditional contract of apprenticeship. It also includes optional wording for apprentices under the age of 18, including provisions dealing with rest periods, working hours, training attendance and changes once the apprentice reaches 18.

This template is particularly useful for employers who need a clear written agreement for an English apprenticeship based on a current approved apprenticeship standard.

Apprenticeship Agreement

The Apprenticeship Agreement is designed for use where the apprentice is based in Wales, or where an apprentice in England is undertaking an apprenticeship framework that has not been replaced by an approved apprenticeship standard.

This template sets out the main terms and conditions of employment for an apprentice, including the fixed-term duration of the apprenticeship, training requirements, pay, paid training time, holidays, sickness absence, pension provisions, confidentiality, data protection, grievance and disciplinary procedures, and notice requirements.

The agreement also allows employers to record the apprentice’s responsibilities, the employer’s training responsibilities, supervision arrangements and the requirement to attend training courses as part of the apprenticeship.

This template is suitable for employers who need an apprenticeship agreement for Welsh apprenticeships or older apprenticeship framework arrangements, while still providing the apprentice with the written employment terms required by law.

Young Worker Employment Contract

The Young Worker Employment Contract is designed for employers taking on school leavers or young employees aged 16 to 18 who are not necessarily employed as apprentices.

This is a fixed-term employment contract that reflects the additional protections applying to young workers, particularly in relation to working time, night work, rest breaks, weekly rest periods and health and safety risk assessment requirements.

The contract includes clauses covering the young worker’s job title, duties, commencement date, fixed-term duration, probationary period, hours of work, place of work, pay, benefits, holidays, training, sickness absence, pension, confidentiality, disciplinary and grievance procedures, data protection, notice and termination.

It also includes wording to deal with changes to hours and pay once the worker reaches 18. This makes it useful for employers who want a structured employment contract for a young person while keeping working arrangements within the rules that apply to under-18 workers.

Key Issues When Employing Apprentices and Young Workers

Employers should ensure that the correct template is selected before employment begins. Apprenticeship agreements should identify the apprenticeship standard or framework, the training involved, the training provider where relevant, and the apprentice’s obligation to attend and complete training.

Where the individual is under 18, employers should also consider the additional rules on working hours, rest breaks, night work and supervision. Young workers generally require greater protection under working time and health and safety rules, and employers should carry out an appropriate risk assessment before they start work.

For fixed-term contracts, employers should remember that the expiry of a fixed term can still amount to a dismissal. The reason for ending the contract and the process followed should therefore be considered carefully.

Practical Benefits of These Templates

These apprenticeship and young worker employment contract templates help employers:

• provide clear written terms from day one of employment;
• distinguish between different apprenticeship arrangements;
• set out training obligations and attendance requirements;
• address pay, holidays, sickness absence, pension and notice;
• include appropriate wording for under-18 workers;
• manage fixed-term employment arrangements;
• reduce uncertainty about early termination and completion of training;
• support compliance with employment, working time and health and safety obligations.

Please click on the links below top download any of these templates:

Apprenticeship & Young Worker Employment Contracts is part of Employment. Just £38.50 + VAT provides unlimited downloads from Employment for 1 year.