UK SBS BLOJEU-CR150069LPC An Investigation Into The Causes Of Non-Compliance With The Apprentice Rate Pay Structure

Once you have registered on the eSourcing Suite, a registered user can express an interest for a specific procurement. Crown Commercial Service will process the email and then enable the Bidder to access the procurement online via the e-Sourcing Suite.

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As a user of the e-Sourcing Suite you will have access to Emptoris email messaging service which facilitates all messages sent to you and from you in relation to any specific RFX event. Please note it is your responsibility to access these emails on a regular basis to ensure you have sight of all relevant information.

For technical assistance on use of the e-Sourcing Suite please contact Crown Commercial Service Helpdesk : Telephone: 0345 010 3503 Training documents to support Bidders utilise Emptoris CCS eSourcing are available in the Contracts Finder Tender documents section. The LPC is looking to gain a better understanding of why, according to the latest BIS Apprentice Pay Surveys (APS) and the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), so many apprentices appear to be paid less than their minimum wage entitlement.

In light of those findings from the APS 2014 and ASHE 2014, the Low Pay Commission (LPC) invites tenders for a further examination of the reasons for non-compliance with the National Minimum Wage for apprentices, including a focus on whether the structure of the Apprentice Rate; non-payment of college hours; and/or lack of awareness may be factors. This research will inform the LPC’s understanding of the extent and reasons for non-compliance with the apprentice rate and will build on research recently conducted for us by Drew, Ritchie and Veliziotis (2015)