(a) For any occupation, the Director may provide by regulation for the employment in that occupation of learners at such wages lower than the minimum wage provided in items (1) and (3) of subsection (a) of Section 4 as the Director may find appropriate to prevent curtailment of opportunities for employment and to safeguard the minimum wage rate of this Act. (b) Where the Director has provided by regulation for the employment of learners, such regulations are subject to provisions hereinafter set forth and to such additional terms and conditions as may be established in supplemental regulations applicable to the employment of learners in particular industries. (c) In any occupation, every employer may pay a subminimum wage to learners during their period of learning. However, under no circumstances, may an employer pay a learner a wage less than 70% of the minimum wage rate provided in item (1) of subsection (a) of Section 4 of this Act for employees 18 years of age or older. (d) No person is deemed a learner in any occupation for which he has completed the required training; and in no case may a person be deemed a learner in that occupation after 6 months of such training, except where the Director finds, after investigation, that for the particular occupation a minimum of proficiency cannot be acquired in 6 months.Amended by P.A. 094-1072,§ 5, eff. 7/1/2007.