PLACEHOLDER_9
Student wages that increase, collective agreement and conditions as a skilled worker.
One of the practical questions that fill people's minds when choosing vocational education is economics. The good news is that you earn money while you learn. Here we cover the principles of trainee pay collective agreement and the conditions you meet as a skilled worker — without promising specific amounts because the rates depend on your agreement and are negotiated continuously.
§You get paid from your first day in the apprenticeship
When you've signed an apprenticeship agreement with a company you get apprentice wages — also in periods when you're in school. That distinguishes a vocational education from many others: you receive wages rather than student grant during the main course. On basic course before you have an agreement you can apply for student grant if you meet the normal requirements.
§PLACEHOLDER_93
The apprentice wages are typically step-divided: they start lowest at the beginning and increase by several steps as you move forward in the education and become more independent at the workshop. The idea is that your wages follow your growing value for the company. The specific rates are set in the collective agreement for the area.
§Agreement and labor union
Boat mechanics falls within the metal and industrial field and apprentice and journeyman wages typically follow a collective agreement negotiated between employers and employee organizations. As an apprentice you can join a relevant trade union that advises on wages, agreements and your rights and which often has an unemployment fund.
- 01You have a learning contract (training agreement) that describes your terms
- 02You typically earn vacation and are covered by occupational health and safety rules like other employees.
- 03Pension and allowances may be negotiated according to the agreement — check your contract
- 04Disputes about your agreement can be raised through the trade union system
§Terms as fully trained
As a fully trained boat mechanic you negotiate wages as a skilled worker. Many in the trade work at shipyards marine workshops or motor dealers and much of the work is seasonal with peak loads from spring to autumn. This can mean busy months with overtime and quieter winter periods — something worth considering when thinking about job and finances.
“You learn the trade and earn at the same time — the wages grow as you become a better mechanic.”