London Apprenticeship Project

Helping young disabled adults pursue their goals, ambitions and aspirations

for work

Disability Rights UK

• 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

• 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

Making a Difference

KEEPCALM

AND

HIRE ANAPPRENTICE

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 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

Employer introducesDRUK to

training provider

DRUK introduces suitablecandidates to employers &

training providers alongwith guidance

DRUK identifies keySupport needs &

provides guidance onreasonable adjustments

Disabled apprenticeis recruitedsuccessfully

DRUK supports apprentice & employerwith AtW application

DRUK provides ad hoc in-work support to employers drawing on

expertise of partner charitieswhere needed to support success

Training provider/college supportsEmployer with funding & AGE grant

applications

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

• 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

EMPLOYERS

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