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How the group is led to a shared understanding
One of the good things about taking a vocational education is that you earn money while you learn. Once you've started the main course and have a training agreement, you're employed by your employer — typically a municipality — and get apprentice wages. This means you don't have to live on student grants during that part of the education. During the basic course, however, you may be entitled to student grants if you don't already have an agreement that covers you.
The apprentice wages are as a starting point step-wise: it is lowest at the beginning and increases as you progress further in the education. The logic is simple — the more you can and the more responsibility you take with the residents the more your contribution is worth. Your wages can also depend on your age.
Many who choose social and health assistant are not very young and it matters for the wage. If you are 25 and have a certain amount of relevant work experience in recent years you may be entitled to adult apprentice wages which is higher than ordinary apprentice wages. That is one reason why the trade often attracts adults switching paths: you can support yourself along the way.
Wages and conditions for social and health care assistants are regulated by a collective agreement negotiated between employers — usually municipalities — and a trade union. In this area, FOA is the trade union that organizes many social and health care assistants and students. The agreement determines among other things wages, supplements, working hours, pension and holidays, in short, a framework for what you can expect as an employee.
When you are done you are a skilled social and health worker. This typically gives you more stable wages and better terms than unskilled care staff because you have papers on your competencies. You also have a strong foundation if you later want to train further as a social and health assistant and you count as skilled labour who may perform tasks an unskilled person not necessarily may stand with alone.
Ask thoroughly before you sign an apprenticeship agreement so you know exactly what you are getting into – including whether you are covered by apprentice wages.