The Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) has been commissioned by the Low Pay Commission to carry out some research into variations in apprenticeship pay across the UK and the role of pay in young people's decisions around apprenticeships.

BHA members have been invited to take part in this research and those interested will be asked to take part in a 30 minute telephone interview discussing the hospitality sector and apprenticeships.

Members interested in participating in this study should contact Kayte Lawton ([email protected] / 020 7470 6169) or Emma Norris ([email protected] / 020 7470 6149).

Further information can be found below.

The aim of this research is to understand how apprenticeship pay rates vary and how this can shape young people's decisions about work, education and apprenticeships. The study will provide insights that highlight differences according to characteristics such as level of education, type of apprenticeship, age and gender. The research will explore what these pay differentials mean and how they may shape the current and future decisions of young people.

The following questions will form the basis of this research:

* How do people make choices about whether to do an apprenticeship, which apprenticeship to do and whether to complete it?

* How important are pay rates relative to other factors in attracting young people onto apprenticeships - such as peer-pressure, long term career development, careers advice. How might these impact on decisions in different sectors? * How important are pay rates in shaping future decisions?

There are three main research components to this project:

* Seven focus groups: there will be holding seven focus groups across the UK with current apprentices.

* Survey of young people: the survey will provide additional information on variations in apprentice pay rates and young people's decisions around apprenticeships. It will be available to current apprentices, people who left apprenticeships and people who considered undertaking apprenticeships, and will cover all industry sectors and all parts of the UK. * Interviews with employers and training providers: we will also be carrying out a small number of in-depth interviews with employers and training providers. This will provide additional data about the role of pay in young people's decisions around apprenticeships, and employers' decisions around offering apprenticeships.

Based on this research, ippr will be producing a report for the Low Pay Commission (LPC) that provides insight, understanding and policy recommendations on apprenticeship pay rates across the UK.