As an apprentice, you essentially have the same rights as a 'normal' employee. When you start your apprenticeship, an employer will take you on as he would with any other person who had been awarded a role in the business, giving you the same rights and allowances as any other worker. Though you will be going through continuous training and experiences, you will still earn a regular wage, be given a fair amount of holidays, legal working hours and deserved rest breaks. 

Working hours

To protect those employed as part of an apprenticeship scheme, laws are in place to restrict the number the hours you are permitted to work in a certain period of time. If you're under the age of 18, you may only work an average of forty hours per week, whereas those over 18 can work up to forty-eight. Though you may work more than this is one given week, it must average out to be less than the permissions over a seventeen-week period. 

Under-18s also have the right to an at least forty-eight hours break free from work in a week. Over-18s are entitled to a block of twenty-hour hours per week or forty-eight hours over two weeks. 

Breaks

Apprenticeships are entitled to receive a twenty-minute break for every six hours they work (at a minimum) though many employers are more generous. You're also eligible to have a gap of at least eleven hours between shifts, though it's possible to waive this right if you choose so. 

Wages

Though you may be typically referred to as an 'apprentice', you are still treated as a regular employee in regards to wages and the laws surrounding them. At a minimum, apprenticeships must receive at least £95 per week, but employers usually pay their apprentices the same as the standard wage for that industry. 

Treatment

The law states that all employees, including apprenticeships, have the right to fair treatment within the workplace. This includes discrimination of all kind, including unfair treatment due to an employee's race, gender or sexual orientation. For more information on discrimination rights, have a look at our article here. 

All apprentices have the right to be given accurate, up-to-date and appropriate health and safety training. It is the responsibility of the employer to provide any relevant documentation and information on their workplace's health and safety rules and regulations. 

It is illegal for an employer to neglect these allowances. If you believe that you are being denied the rights outlined in this article, it is your responsibility to make your voice heard and follow the correct reporting procedure highlighted here.