In a dilemma

A question about : In a dilemma

Hi, this is my first time posting on here, I'm looking for some advice in regards my career.
For three years I've been doing a apprenticeship for nvq diploma in site carpentry and wood occupations, passed my level two and due to finish my level three in three months.
I've spent three years on a new house build site being trained by my boss and one day a week at college.
I've bought all my own top of the range tools, passed my driving test, bought my own transport and to help me fund my tools I've been making hand made garden furniture and doing jobs for friends and family.
It's come to the time that my boss as been asking me what my plans are when my apprenticeship finishes in three months.
For two years I was on a wage of Ј110 a week, in January this went up to Ј150 a week, I know due to my age being 19 and been in my apprenticeship nearly three years the wage should be Ј200 a week based on minimum wage for my age whilst in the apprenticeship.
He has offered me to stay with him for Ј200 pounds a week once apprenticeship ends,he stated he couldn't afford more, then the next day he said if he has a good week he would pay me 250, but he says I will have to register as self employed and pay my own tax and national insurance and public liability insurance.
From what I can understand this would mean I would be classed as a sub contractor to him, as well as registering as self employed I would have to also register with the construction tax scheme , where they would deduct 20% of my earnings as I would be working on site.
I've also been told the site I am on would have plenty of work if I was going to start on my own, and register as self employed and sub contract to the new house building site, which would then give me a chance to earn more.
People on site say I am a excellent worker and a grafter and I would do fine setting up alone, yet others say stay for another year with your boss , but 200 just seems so low, I'm capable and do the joinery on my own unsupervised.
Just feel so confused and worried.

Best answers:

• I have no advice for you, sorry, but wanted to congratulate you on your work ethic and near completion of your apprenticeship.
  Do you know what the going rate would be for someone in your position, working on building sites, in your location?
• Thank you, I've been advised from other joiners on site at level three and site manager that I could be earning 300 to 400 to start off with, I will also be doing domestic joinery jobs at weekends when and if bookings come in also.
  Just daunting starting out and also I guess shocked as to how low a wage my boss was offering at 200, I couldn't manage on that, with my car insurance costs, need transport to get to work, just had to purchase a berlingo multispace car to be able to transport all my tools to site and back, van insurance prices where out of the question.
  Petrol costs,car insurance, tool costs /repair costs, plus the cost of public liability insurance, soon mounts up.
  I am grateful for the training my boss as given me and given me the opportunity to Learn a trade, but makes me feel a little worried he feels I'm only worth 200 pound a week once qualified.
  I may aswell work for myself for pittance if needs be ,then feel worthless on 200 pound a week.
• No, Ј200 isn't what he thinks you're worth, it is what he thinks he will get away with.
  I myself would not be brave enough to set up on my own, it is natural that you would feel worried about it. Seems to me that with your attitude and skills and in the weird construction industry that you are, you should go for it.
  I am sure it will be tough at first, but you have been living on a pittance for the last three years, imagine how you will feel when you take on your first apprentice.
  Sorry to say but you owe your boss nothing, he has had a skilled but cheap worker for the last 3 years - don't let your decision be swayed by that.
  Good luck.
• Like Steve I wanted to say well done on sticking with the apprenticeship and on yor work ethic.
  I think you need to look a little deeper into the self-employed route, understand the tax implications, the cost of an accountant, then again you can offset some of your vehicle costs and your tools. I'm not an expert on that subject, but something for you to look into. The lads on the site should be able to fill you in on what you pay.
  Is the Ј200.00 the boss is offering nett or gross, and is the Ј3-400 being quoted nett or gross of tax - you need to be clear what you are comparing.
  I do think now that you are qualified then you should be paid a fair rate. Being an apprentice, you expect your wage to be low, you are gaining an education and experience at someone else's expense.
  I went on my own as a van driver back in '91 - rocky here and there, but I wouldn't change it overall. If you do part company with your boss though, part on good terms, give him good notice and say thanks for the opportunity etc - you never know when you might need help and the more people you help, the more they help you.
  Good luck
• I'm pretty shocked that the person offering the apprenticeship has been allowed to get away with paying you below NMW for the last 2 years!
  The rules for apprenticeships say that after the first year, you must be paid the NMW (not the apprenticeship NMW).
  I would most certainly be looking to move away from someone willing to treat you this way and expect you to provide all tools etc too.
  I wish you a huge congratulations on having the drive, strength of character and determination to put yourself through learning to drive, working hard and progressing as well as you have.
  It seems clear to me, at least, that someone with that level of determination should be more than rewarded by 'going it alone' as you already have the right attitude and also now 3 years of skills and experience to back it up.
  Good luck with whatever you choose!
• Thanks so much for your brilliant advice, myself and my parents have been researching hard in regards to self employment and sub contracting, tax implications etc, I'm lucky that parents friends have become returning customers for me fitting doors and skirting etc and they have recommended me to others and my handmade garden furniture is popular,I'm lucky that the new house build company I have been with have another site that i sometimes work on and need joiners, so work is their for me .
  Mum and me wrote up a list of questions to ask my boss to get a clearer picture of what the boss has offered.
  Also been speaking to other sub contractors in my trade and they all say go for it. Boss will take another apprentice on once mine as finished in three months, so he's pressing for a answer this week.
  My parents are very suspicious of what the boss as offered, as is my college tutor, like they say I haven't worked hard for three years to then be payed a wage that a apprentice would be paid.
  I know it will be tough starting out, and I know I will still have lots to learn, but I'm willing to give it a good go, actually found some good websites offering advice as well as the tax website, so things are a lot clearer,this as been my dream since school. Thanks for your advice
• Doubletrouble, I must respectfully disagree with you. You haven't been lucky with your parents friends as returning customers, you haven't been lucky with the new house build company. You've been hard-working, done the job. You'd be amazed how many people fail those simple requirements.
  It was a famous golfer that said something along the lines of, the more he practised, the hareder he worked, the luckier he got.....