ERSA is the voice of the employment support sector, representing around 250 members who help jobseekers move into work, ranging from large organisations to small, place-based charities.
As the cases of Keiva and Mark below demonstrate, with appropriate support, apprenticeships can provide an excellent route into the labour market for people with disabilities and learning difficulties. Although participation rates for disabled apprentices have increased from 19,230 in 2005-5 to 50,640 in 2015/16, much more could still be done. And, with the government target of 3 million apprenticeships by 2020, combined with the launch of the Apprenticeship Levy in May, this systemic step-change provides a clear opportunity to do more.
The government should avoid missing a trick by working towards ensuring that access to apprenticeships is broadened. This should be seen in the context of the government’s pledge to halve the disability employment gap – which will require over 1.2 million more disabled jobseekers to enter work.
With an 80% reduction in nationally contracted specialist employment support this year, ERSA research found that 45,000 fewer disabled jobseekers will receive specialist support for every remaining year of this Parliament. It is therefore all the more important to get the apprenticeship system right for disabled jobseekers. Better joined-up thinking across departments will help the government to square the circle of its pledges to deliver 3 million apprenticeships and halve the disability employment gap.
To get it right, the government should take up the recommendations made in its own Maynard taskforce last year. In particular, the government should ensure that:
- The design of apprenticeships be altered to adjust the minimum standard of English and maths required for apprentices with learning difficulties and disabilities who are able to meet the occupational standard
- Pilots to explore how Apprenticeship Levy funding can be flexed to incentivise employers to recruit apprentices with disabilities.
ERSA’s Chief Executive, Kirsty McHugh, said:
“National Apprenticeship Week provides a chance to champion and celebrate the huge benefits of apprenticeships. With the Apprenticeship Levy and the government’s 3 million target, there is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to get it right.
“As Keiva and Mark’s stories show, apprenticeships can provide an excellent route into the labour market for people with disabilities and learning difficulties. To make the most of this, the government should implement the recommendations set out in the Maynard Taskforce review. This will ensure that people with disabilities and learning conditions are not locked out of the system, while also incentivising employer recruitment.
“Marrying up the government’s pledge to halve the disability employment gap with its apprenticeship target, and building a system fit for purpose, is a win-win. Let’s make sure we seize this opportunity now.”
