Holiday entitlement for an apprentice
Apprentices have many of the same workplace rights as other members of staff, including paid annual leave. Understanding holiday entitlement for an apprentice is important for employers to ensure they comply with employment law and provide apprentices with the correct pay and benefits.
Do apprentices get holiday pay?
Yes, apprentices are entitled to paid holiday in the same way as other employees.
As apprentices are employed under a contract of employment, they have the right to paid annual leave from the start of their apprenticeship. Holiday pay should be calculated using the apprentice's normal rate of pay and must be provided when they take approved annual leave.
Apprentices also continue to build up holiday entitlement while completing work related learning and training activities, including time spent with a college or training provider.
How many days of holiday does an apprentice get?
Apprentices are entitled to the same minimum holiday allowance as other employees.
The statutory minimum holiday entitlement in the UK is:
- 5.6 weeks of paid holiday each year
- 28 days for someone working a five-day week (this can include bank holidays)
- A pro rata allowance for part-time apprentices
Some employers choose to offer more than the statutory minimum. The apprentice's contract should clearly explain their holiday entitlement and how it is calculated.
Do bank holidays counts towards an apprentice's holiday entitlement?
Bank holidays may or may not be included in an apprentice's holiday allowance.
This depends on the employer's policy. For example:
- Some employers include bank holidays within the 28-day entitlement
- Some offer 28 days plus bank holidays
- Others provide enhanced holiday packages above the legal minimum
Apprentices should check their employment contract to understand how bank holidays are treated.
Can apprentices take holiday during off-the-job training?
Apprentices can take annual leave during their apprenticeship, but holiday arrangements should be agreed with their employer.
Because off-the-job training forms a mandatory part of the apprenticeship programme, employers should consider the impact of holiday requests on planned learning activities. In many cases, employers encourage apprentices to avoid taking leave during scheduled training sessions, workshops or assessments where possible.
If an apprentice takes annual leave during a period when training is scheduled, they remain entitled to their paid holiday, although alternative learning arrangements may need to be agreed with the training provider.
Employer responsibilities for apprentice holiday entitlement
Employers must ensure apprentices receive the same holiday rights as other employees.
This includes:
- Providing at least the statutory minimum holiday entitlement
- Paying apprentices correctly when they take annual leave
- Allowing apprentices to take their accrued holiday throughout the year
- Clearly outlining holiday arrangements in the employment contract
- Ensuring holiday continues to accrue during apprenticeship training
It's important to remember that time spent completing off-the-job training counts as working time. Apprentices continue to build up holiday entitlement while attending training, college or other approved learning activities.
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FAQs
Do apprentices get paid for holidays?
Yes. Apprentices are entitled to paid annual leave and should receive holiday pay at their normal rate of pay when taking approved leave.
How many days holiday does an apprentice get?
A full time apprentice is entitled to at least 28 days of paid holiday per year, including any bank holidays that the employer chooses to count towards this allowance.
Do apprentices accrue holiday while training?
Yes. Apprentices continue to build up holiday entitlement while completing off the job training, attending college or undertaking other work related learning activities.
Can an employer refuse an apprentice's holiday request?
Employers can refuse a holiday request if there is a valid business reason, provided they follow the correct notice requirements and employment policies. Alternative dates should usually be offered where possible.
Are apprentices entitled to bank holidays?
There is no separate legal entitlement to paid bank holidays. Whether bank holidays are included within an apprentice's holiday allowance depends on the terms set out in their employment contract.
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