Disability Rights UK
London Apprenticeship
Project
The Engage to Enable Pledge
Barriers
• According to the Little Report 2012, the percentage of
apprentices declaring a learning difficulty or disability has fallen
between 2005/06 and 2010/11 from 11.1% to 8%
• There is a wide misconception that employing disabled people
can be costly, complicated and time consuming
• Systematic flaws, highly bureaucratic procedures and underused
resources restrict the freedom of choice disabled people can
access
• In 2012 46.3% of working-age disabled people were in
employment compared to 76.4% of working-age non-disabled
people - Labour Force Survey
The Case for Disabled Apprentices
• Making opportunities accessible to disabled applicants helps
your business access a wider pool of talent
• Employers find that disabled employees display greater loyalty
and commitment helping organisations retain talent whilst
enhancing business reputation & credibility
• Reduced costs on training & recruitment, increased staff
retention and reduced costs associated with conflict & litigation
• Highlights social responsibility as well as improving your
organisation’s value in both the marketplace and the workplace
• Offers freedom of choice for disabled young adults to pursue
their aspirations and develop their potential
London Apprenticeship Project Aims
• Demonstrate that flexible alternatives to the
norm can improve opportunities for disabled
people to pursue their career goals
• Show that with relevant holistic support,
cooperation and positive engagement,
apprentices with disabilities can achieve and
excel
• Prove that with due consideration of the
Equality Act 2010, the Specification for
Apprenticeship Standards in England can
effectively explore alternatives to validate a
person’s ability & relevant skill-set
• Increase the confidence of employers,
training providers & key stakeholders to
improve access to apprenticeships for
disabled applicants
Key Objectives
• Support a total of 30 disabled young adults to access and
progress with an apprenticeship and, where possible during the
lifetime of the project, stay in employment after their
apprenticeship finishes.
• Develop a network of partnerships consisting of Disabled
People’s Organisations, training providers/colleges, employers
and key stakeholders (DWP/AtW/SFA/BIS) to meet our set
targets
• Provide practical case studies to influence, encourage and
motivate organisations invovled in supporting NEET young
adults ensuring disabled people have a platfrom to help them
pursue their work and life ambitions
The Engage to Enable Pledge
Partners to the pledge will commit to:
• Provide exclusive access to an agreed number of apprenticeships, work
placements or traineeships
• Consider alternative ways of assessing an applicant’s ability to undertake an
apprenticeship, work placement or traineeship
• Provide specialist support to employers and training providers to influence
success rates whilst increasing confidence amongst stakeholders
Our Promise to You
• Deliver an effective and inclusive job brokerage service that links key
stakeholders and highlights individual skill-set and potential regardless
of impairment or disability
• Provide individual support to young disabled adults through mentoring,
empowerment and training. Develop their employability skills and
enable freedom of choice driven by aspirations and personal ambition
• Deliver practical advice and guidance to training providers and
employers on individual support needs, reasonable adjustments and
improve awareness of disabilities where required
• Offer specific support to training providers and employers to promote
sustainability, successful completion of apprenticeships and job
retention
Taking Part
Sign up to our pledge today and discover how your organisation can help us tackle
barriers disabled people face whilst promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.
Please contact our project coordinator for a discussion on how we may foster a
meaningful partnership to support young disabled people to pursue their career
ambitions through more accessible apprenticeships, work placements and training.
Project Coordinator: Danny Estrada
Direct Line: 020 7566 0118Email: danny.estrada@disabilityrightsuk.org