Trainee minimum wage reintroduced

A trainee minimum wage rate has been reintroduced in Jersey following pressure from local businesses.

Jersey's government has brought back the lower hourly wage after businesses called for a rethink.

The Chamber of Commerce raised concern that scrapping then trainee rate had affected the ability or willingness of employers to hire trainees or apprentices.

A survey highlighted the pressure that had been put on wage bills for smaller businesses and the potential loss of entry level jobs.

The Social Security Minister has today (12 August) announced the trainee rate will be reintroduced on 1 September.

It will be set at £10.50 in year 1 and £11.75 in year two for workers on an approved training programme.

Existing trainees will continue to be paid £13 per hour.  

The trainee rate was abolished in January 2024, following a recommendation to government from the Employment Forum.

Deputy Lyndsay Feltham says the reversal of that decision aims to support businesses to sustainably invest in local talent and skills development.

"This is a positive step to help trainees and apprentices to gain experience, build confidence, and develop key skills.

"At the same time, we’re supporting businesses to invest in trainees as part of building a strong, inclusive economy.

"These new trainee rates will create more opportunities and help make the transition into skilled jobs clearer and more accessible.”

The Education Minister Rob Ward says Skills Jersey has worked with industry to identify key skills gaps and a list of approved courses which are accredited.

"By supporting trainees and apprentices with fair starting rates, we’re opening more doors for Islanders to gain valuable qualifications and experience.

"This change strengthens our pathway from education into skilled, rewarding work, and helps ensure that learning truly is a lifelong opportunity for all.”

The government says the trainee rate will be kept under review alongside regular minimum wage evaluations to ensure it remains 'appropriate and fair'.

Approved courses which have been accredited by Skills Jersey are listed here

Jersey Chamber of Commerce says the news of the return of the trainee rate will come as a relied to many small businesses.