Go Ape salary for 17 year olds?

[mahonga]

Super long-shot, but does anyone know the hourly rate (I think it's the same across the country) for 17 year olds as activity assistants at Go Ape? DD has an interview for a summer job. The advert says £7.55-£12.00 per hour, and mentions that over 18s get £12 per hour after training.

The new under 18s minimum wage is £7.55 so it seems likely that's all she'd get, but that seems a big differential to the £12 that 18 year olds get (given the new 18 year old minimum wage is £10). Do they really pay 17 year olds £4.50 less than 18 year olds?

Obviously would find out at interview but weighing up cost of petrol etc...

It'll be minimum wage for her age.

I would expect minimum wage. How long until she’s 18?

And yes of course they pay 17 year olds £4.50 less. Why would you think they wouldn't?

Yes, like most jobs for young people.

They might be more likely to hire her as she's cheaper.

And yes of course they pay 17 year olds £4.50 less. Why would you think they wouldn't?

Because all other companies she's applied for either pay minimum wage (so £7.55 under 18s, £10 over 18s) or an enhanced wage for all ages. This is the outlier as it seems to pay minimum wage for under 18s, enhanced wage (£12) for 18 year olds. I was hoping someone would say the £7.55 might increase after training (like it implies that the 18 year old wage does).

It'll be minimum wage for her age group.

It'll be long, boring days spent entirely on her feet out of doors.

I would expect minimum wage. How long until she’s 18?

Not until after the summer season (which the job is for), unfortunately!

Yes it'll be minimum wage but likely for insurance purposes the 18+yos will do the riskier stuff like the training for customers and emergency rescues etc. And she will do the less riskier stuff.

Yes it'll be minimum wage but likely for insurance purposes the 18+yos will do the riskier stuff like the training for customers and emergency rescues etc. And she will do the less riskier stuff.

Ah yes, that would explain why they would get enhanced pay - good point!

The 18yos probs are also covered for lone working (eg closing down the site / opening up) and the under 18s won't do that.

A friends daughter worked at the one near us last summer at 17 - she wasn't responsible for safety / supervising the activity - she did stuff like checking people in, getting the bookable party tables ready, checking wristbands for the nets, selling ice creams etc.

The older ones had to train people and supervise them on the course so a different role

Thanks all - that all makes perfect sense and why the advert mentioned extra pay after training for 18 year olds. I'm glad I asked Mumsnet!

Also if she does get it, she will be in for a lovely pay rise within a few months!

My daughter started work 2 weeks after her 16th birthday and was on £11.50 an hour. Some companies pay the same wage to all.

My daughter started work 2 weeks after her 16th birthday and was on £11.50 an hour. Some companies pay the same wage to all.

Well, yes. But this one doesn't. Hence the post.

Because the difference in min wage is £2 per hour so its worth wondering why the gap is double.

If they paid the 17 year olds the same as 18+, no one would hire them. There's additional employment, health and safety and insurance requirements for under 18s, hence the difference.

The OP doesn't have an issue with 18yos being paid more. NMW is higher for 18yps and she accepts that.

Her query is that the 18yos are paid £2 an hour on top of NMW and the under 18yos are not given any top ups of any value and she was curious why.

I'm not convinced. 16yo kids can be lifeguards, which sometimes involves resuscitating people who have stopped breathing. I would think Go Ape are paying the minimum wage to 17yo because that is what they are allowed to do.

Usually lifeguards is not NMW. Even at 16yp the pay is enhanced

Yes I know. In the leisure centre where I work, they all earn the over 23 minimum wage.