A CHARITY has demanded the government “make apprenticeships work for young people” after its study found that trainees are struggling to pay for basic living costs.

Two out of five apprentices spent more money completing their training than they earned, while many were left with nothing to live on after paying for work clothes, travel and childcare, according to a study by the Young Women’s Trust.

Young women apprentices were found to be even worse off, earning £6.67 an hour on average compared to men’s hourly wage of £7.25. Female apprentices were also more likely to fork out money for child care.