Removing the barriers that prevent disabled people undertaking
apprenticeships is at the heart of a new Inclusive
Apprenticeships Action Plan published by Minister for Welsh
Language and Lifelong Learning today.
The Minister launched the action plan at an event held in
conjunction with Equality and Human Rights Commission to mark the
International Day for Disabled People in Cardiff today, where
employers disability organisations and other key
stakeholders came together to discuss the issue and
encourage more employers to take on more apprentices,
particularly those with disabilities.
Created by a working group of specialist disability
organisations, the action plan feeds into the Welsh Government’s
Employability Plan, which includes an action to provide an
individualised approach to employability support that is
responsive to an individual’s needs. It takes account of personal
circumstances, barriers, aptitudes and ambitions Ensuring there
are opportunities for disabled people to find and stay in work is
a key element of this.
The action plan aims to help people like Twm Draper who has
completed a level three apprenticeship in customer care with BT
in March. Twm now works as a full-time consumer help case
manager. Twm has a bilateral hearing impairment and uses an
adapted headset that blocks out background noise. This is the
only adjustment his employer has had to make for him.
Twm said: “After sixth-form, I didn’t want to go to university, I
wanted to work for a big company and I wanted to start earning
money, so I looked into what apprenticeships were out there. I
love my job and just get on with it,”
Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning, , said: “There are not enough
disabled people in work. In Wales, just 45% of working-age
disabled people are currently in employment, compared to 80% of
those who are not disabled. This is not acceptable. It is
something I want to see change.”
“This isn’t a purely altruistic process. Employing diverse work
groups can create better solutions to business challenges,
increase productivity, and encourage creativity. Having a work
force that reflects a company’s customer base means they can
better understand their needs and issues that affect them.”
“Apprenticeships are a proven route into sustainable employment
and I am proud that we have a successful Apprenticeship Programme
here in Wales. However, the makeup of the apprentice cohort is
far from representative of the diverse society in which we live.
Encouraging disabled people to apply for apprenticeships and
making sure potential employers are aware of the support that is
available is vital in changing this. This is the aim of our
Inclusive Apprenticeships Action Plan.”
Notes
