First published on Friday, July 12, 2024
Last updated on Friday, July 11, 2025
World Youth Skills Day was declared by the UN as a day to celebrate the strategic importance of equipping young people with the skills they need for employment and to enter the workforce.
There are many advantages to hiring young people. Developing their skills is also in employers’ best interest as the future of work will depend on a vast array of diverse skills.
Young people offer fresh perspectives and can help your company grow, making it a better place for your whole team. But hiring young people is not without risk from a legal and safety standpoint…
So, we’ve put together some handy advice to help you hire young people compliantly and provide them with the skills and opportunities needed to address skill shortages in your workforce.
What does the law say about hiring young workers?
In the UK, the law differs depending on region and local authority.
In England, children can start part-time work as early as 13, but there’s strict rules about the type of work they can do, as well as the hours they can work, including holiday, rest breaks, and times of day.
In Scotland and Wales, and Northern Ireland, similar regulations apply, but local bylaws can add further restrictions or exceptions to protect children and prevent instances of child labour, so always check with your local authority.
Further rules apply to how children can be employed whilst in education, the hours they can work on school and non-school days, the types of work they can undertake, and requirements for people supervising children in the workplace.
Another thing to consider when hiring young workers is the implications on health and safety. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) highlights that younger workers under 18 are more likely to be at risk due to their lack of experience and awareness of potential hazards.
How do you pay young workers in the United Kingdom?
Young workers in the UK are entitled to a specific pay rate according to their age. This often means, despite the restrictions, they can be cheaper to hire.
The current wage rates are as follows:
Aged 21 and over: £12.21 per hour (National Living Wage).
Aged 18 to 20: £10.00 per hour.
Under 18: £7.55 per hour.
Apprentices: £7.55 per hour (for those under 19 or in the first year of their apprenticeship).
Be warned, these rates can and do change. So it is important to keep up to date on the latest legislation to ensure you stay compliant with employment laws in the UK. You can keep an eye on our employment law updates or get in touch with our experts for more information.
If someone you hire is under the age of 16 they are not currently (at the time of writing) entitled to the National Minimum Wage. In fact, workers under 16 may even require licenses to work in certain sectors such as the entertainment industry (stage shows, singing, acting, modelling etc.).
How do you make sure you’re compliant when hiring young workers?
In the UK, there are specific laws and regulations to ensure your young workers are treated fairly and safely. Employers must adhere to the Working Time Regulations Act 1998, which sets the legal working time limits for young workers.
On top, businesses must adhere to the guidelines set out by the HSE to ensure young workers are not exposed to risks and ensure young workers do not take on prohibited work during their employment.
Need more support?
Even with all this advice, the UK employment law system can still feel like a bit of a jungle. Regulations, rules, and issues of compliance are always waiting to catch you off guard.
Learn more about round-the-clock support from BrightAdvice. Our employment law experts are always on hand to give you legal updates and guide you on a range of employment topics, like the legalities of hiring young workers.
Book a personalised demo today to see our award-winning HR software in action!
