Sandwell Council has agreed to a charter for Apprentices that was initiated by UNISON. The Charter brings improvements to the treatment of Apprentices, which includes ringfencing for vacant jobs at the end of the apprenticeship and access to parental/maternity leave.
Tony Barnsley, who signed the charter on behalf of the joint trade unions at the full Council meeting 9 April added, “We welcome this charter as a step in the right direction. However, we are disappointed that the Council has not yet committed to improving the pay rate for apprentices. This is something we will continue to campaign for.”