Disability Rights UK
London Apprenticeship
Project
Helping young disabled adults pursue
their goals, ambitions and aspirations
for work
Making a Difference
• Securing a better future through
Education, Employment, Income, Health
& Wellbeing, Social Inclusion, Choice
and Control
• Strengthen the social foundations of
your company through inclusion &
diversity
KEEP
CALM
AND
• Employing disabled young adults is
easier than most companies perceive
with most cases requiring small
workplace adjustments
• An opportunity to provide young
disabled adults with freedom of choice
enabling greater control over their
career ambitions and life aspirations
HIRE AN
APPRENTICE
A Case for Apprenticeships
• An opportunity to establish an
‘employer-led’ scheme to develop
talent based on organisational needs
• 80% of companies who invest in
apprenticeships have reported a
significant increase in employee
retention - NAS
• Government funding is now likely to
cover full training costs for disabled
young adults aged 16-24
• 83% of employers who employ
apprentices rely on their
apprenticeships programme to
provide skilled workers - NAS
How does it work?
Employer introduces
DRUK to
training provider
Employer with
existing scheme
Employer new
to
apprenticeships
DRUK links
employer to
partner training
provider
DRUK promotes
opportunity amongst
partner charities +
other key partners
Disabled
applicants
are referred
to DRUK
DRUK identifies key
Support needs &
provides guidance on
reasonable adjustments
Training provider/college supports
Employer with funding & AGE grant
applications
DRUK provides ad hoc in-work
support to employers drawing on
expertise of partner charities
where needed to support success
DRUK supports
apprentice & employer
with AtW application
Disabled apprentice
is recruited
successfully
DRUK introduces suitable
candidates to employers &
training providers along
with guidance
Changing Lives
• Apprenticeships offer a
significant pathway for disabled
people to achieve independence,
social inclusion and dignity
• The benefits of paid work far
outstretch beyond financial gain
– they can positively influence
employees and work cultures
• An opportunity to demonstrate
good practice through case
studies and leading by example
• Work is a key pillar of wellbeing
Support Our Initiative
• Informal pledge based on trust
• Commitment to setting up an
apprenticeship programme or grant
access to existing ones
EMPLOYERS
• Explore the prospect of work placements,
internships and traineeships
• Duly consider applicants submitted by
the project allocating interview slots for
those who meet criterion
• Be willing to consider alternative means
for applicants to demonstrate ability and
skill-set within agreed frameworks
• Take part in (free) disability related
workshops aimed at developing staff’s
disability awareness to proactively
encourage social inclusion
DR UK NEEDS
YOU
Our Pledge to You
• First point of contact for applicants to
facilitate information advice & guidance
around reasonable adjustments and
individual support needs
• Provide a direct link to training
providers & charities for expertise and
support around disability
• Help manage the recruitment process
• Support Access to Work applications
• Provide Ad Hoc in-work support to
promote sustainability and success
• Increase disability awareness among
workforce through workshops & training
How can I get involved?
It’s easy!! Simply get in touch for
an initial discussion to ascertain
the organisational needs and
agree on a course of action that’ll
suit your business.
For a further discussion on how
we can work in partnership
contact project coordinator Danny
Estrada on
danny.estrada@disabilityrightsuk.org
or call 020 7566 0118