As at 1 September 2019, the remuneration of young workers undergoing vocational training in the form of apprenticeships will be increased by 1 percentage point. The Council of Ministers adopted an Ordinance on Tuesday. In addition, employers will have the right to apply for reimbursement of the costs of the increase.

- These changes will allow to increase the participation of employers in creating incentives for young people to undertake this form of education. This measure will help to rebuild the prestige of vocational education systematically adjusted to the needs of the labour market - says the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy, Bożena Borys-Szopa.

Who will be the most affected by the introduced changes? The wage increases will be awarded to young workers (persons aged between 15 and 18) who are undergoing vocational training in the form of apprenticeships. The compulsory increase amounts to 1 percentage point and the young person's wage is calculated as a percentage of the average wage in the national economy.

For instance, the remuneration calculated for the second quarter would equal to:

•  in the first year of education, at least 5 percent, i.e. PLN 247.55 (currently at 4 percent, i.e. PLN 198.04)
•  in the second year of education, at least 6 percent, i.e. PLN 297.06 (currently at 5 percent, i.e. PLN 247.55)
•  in the third year of education, at least 7%, i.e. PLN 346.56 (currently at 6%, i.e. PLN 297.06).

The remuneration of young people undergoing vocational training in the form of trainings specific works will remain at the current level. It amounts to at least 4% of the average salary in the national economy for the previous quarter, i.e. currently at PLN 198.04.

- The current level of remuneration rates for young people undergoing vocational training causes difficulties both on the part of employers - preventing them from attracting employees, as well as to school graduates - in finding a job. Increasing the minimum wage rates for young employees undergoing vocational training is also a consequence of the reform of vocational education - says Minister Bożena Borys-Szopa.

The increased wages for young employees will be refunded to employers from the Labour Fund (as an exception, in 2019 the additional expenses will be refunded from the Guaranteed Employee Benefits Fund). Employers who wish to benefit from the refund will have to apply to the Voluntary Labour Corp.