Employing Young People

Raising Participation Age

The Education and Skills Act 2008 increased the age to which all young people in England must continue in education or training, requiring them to continue until the end of the academic year in which they turn 18. This can include full-time study in a school, college or with a training provider, full-time work or volunteering combined with part-time education or training, or an apprenticeship.

Part-time Employment

Part-time employment is a great way for students to experience the world of work, however school work should come first and there are several rules about children in paid and voluntary employment. Both National Legislation and Suffolk County Council Byelaws state that:

CHILDREN MUST BE 13 YEARS OLD TO BE ABLE TO WORK PART-TIME

During term time there is a maximum of 12 hours a week that any child may work (this includes weekends.)

It is the employer’s responsibility to register the child with the Local Authority where the child is intending to work. An application form will require the parents/carers signature and declaration of their child’s fitness to work. The declaration also confirms that the parents have been consulted regarding the risk assessment.

Forms can be downloaded from Suffolk County Council website www.suffolk.gov.uk/childemployment

The HSE document Young people and work experience: A brief guide for employers is available at the bottom of this page.

Employing an Apprentice

Apprentices are aged 16 or over and combine working with studying to gain skills and knowledge in a specific job. Apprentices can be new or existing employees.

You can get government funding to cover some of the cost of training and assessing an apprentice if you're in England.

You must pay the apprentice at least the minimum wage.

Your apprentice must:

• work with experienced staff

• learn job-specific skills

• study during their working week (for example, at a college or training organisation)

For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/take-on-an-apprentice or telephone National Apprenticeship Service: 0800 015 0600

If you would like to advertise an Apprenticeship vacancy at Alde Valley Academy, please send details to j.smith@aldevalley.suffolk.sch.uk or telephone 01728 830570 for a discussion.