Speaking from Experience: Getting it right for disabled apprentices

Disability Rights UK has launched its follow-up report to 2022’s Getting it Right for Disabled Apprentices.

This report explores the experiences of young Disabled people who are using or have used, apprenticeship schemes as a route into employment. The report considers what works well through collecting and analysing young Disabled people’s experiences of how they receive information about apprenticeships; their engagement with training providers and employers, and the support they have received. The report also includes the views from various stakeholders who work with Disabled young people.

Key Findings 

Finding out about apprenticeships

Lack of parental knowledge

• Many parents of Disabled young people are not aware of all the post-16 options and pathways open to their children and the support that is available
• Many parents didn’t understand the benefits of apprenticeships. 

Reaching young people

• Organisations should be using social media more to reach young people.
• Apprentices said that young people need to see a clear pathway showing the different stages, progression and career opportunities of apprenticeships

Information on disability related support and adjustments

• There’s not enough clear information on what support and adjustments are  available for Disabled apprentices
• A lack of familiarity with terminology is a  key part of the problem.

Getting good careers advice 

• Good careers advice is crucial to young Disabled people
• Careers advice is patchy and sometimes below the expected standards
• Getting qualified and experienced SEND careers advisers into schools is an issue.

Applying for an apprenticeship

• Not all apprenticeships are advertised on the national apprenticeship website
• Application processes can be long and complex
• Part-time apprenticeships should be more widely available, as they are more likely to appeal to Disabled people managing a health condition.

Doing work experience

• Doing work experience is an important part of preparing to do an apprenticeship
• Schools should ensure work experience opportunities are accessible to all Disabled young people

Barriers to starting or completing an apprenticeship

• The numbers of Disabled people taking up apprenticeships is too low
• Financial pressures and low wages may be part of the reason for this
• The requirement for English and maths is a barrier for some Disabled apprentices
• Sharing information about a disability or health condition is a concern for some people

What makes an apprenticeship successful

Networking and mentoring

• Networking was an important part of an apprenticeship 
• Apprentices also wanted a dedicated person such as a mentor to support them during an apprenticeship. 

Apprentice and learning provider interaction

•  Some providers did provide good support, including making changes to the curriculum
•  Apprentices highlighted problems with support for exams, off-the-job training and provision of reasonable adjustments
•  Some training providers did not know how to access additional support for Disabled apprentices.

 Off-the-job training experiences

•  The quality of off-the-job training and course material varied
•  Remote learning worked well for some but others preferred face to face options 
• Apprentices wanted consistency in assessments and fewer changes of skills coaches, learning support and assessment personnel.

 Language and accessibility

• Lots of information sources are complex and more should be available in alternative formats, such as Easy Read
•  Some online platforms and software programmes are not easy for Disabled apprentices to use. 

Apprentice and employer interaction 

• Employers should recognise the added value Disabled people can bring to an organisation.

Adjustments and support at work 

• Many apprentices got the support they needed in the workplace 
• Some found employers reluctant to put in place reasonable adjustments, even though it’s a legal requirement 
• Some waited a long time for adjustments to be put in place. 

The Access to Work scheme

• The Access to Work scheme is a crucial tool to help support Disabled people to get and keep jobs 
•  The scheme should be quicker and easier to use so apprentices get the support they need promptly. 

Conclusions

•  Apprenticeships have the potential to transform young Disabled people’s lives
•  Apprenticeships are key if the Government wants to tackle the disability employment gap
•  Disabled apprentices bring energy, ideas and innovation and organisations involved in the apprenticeship scheme should tap into that talent 
• Government, employers, training providers and schools and colleges can all do more to improve Disabled people’s experiences of doing an apprenticeship