Recommendations for action
To achieve real change to access and diversity in apprenticeships, it will take a concerted effort from all stakeholders in the process: employers, training providers and Government. Here are four key themes we explored in the webinar which can perhaps positively impact on the recruitment and retention of apprentices with disabilities in England.
1. GOVERNMENT
Right now, there is an opportunity for the UK Government to do more to support diversity in apprenticeships in England and we’re keen to maximise on that. Improving the apprenticeship levy was a key commitment the Government’s manifesto, and apprenticeships are also a key element of the plan to ‘Build Back Better’ post-pandemic. So how can they help?
The skills framework – Instead of a ‘ladder of opportunity’ with one route into learning, we encourage the Government to create a ‘climbing frame’ with multiple entry and exit points to move around the skills system, in a connected and coherent framework. This ability to hop on, and hop off, in a flexible way could better support widening access.
Targets and data – Could the UK Government set more ambitious targets for recruitment of apprentices with disabilities? A National Audit Office report in 2019 recommended ‘that the Department’s targets for widening participation among under-represented groups lack ambition… and the targets are not stretching’.
Levy incentives – Thirdly, there is a lot of debate out there in whether the funding of the levy in England should be structured in a way to incentivise certain types of learners into apprenticeships.
2. FUNDING
Our Access to Apprenticeship report found that employers reported a real lack of information and clarity about what funding is available to support learners, employers and training providers.
It’s not a simple system, for example, many reported they had little understanding of what evidence is acceptable to the ESFA in order to claim Additional Learning Support funding.
This is something that the Learning and Work Institute also found in a joint research project with the Department for Education in 2018 so it’s clearly still an issue.
3. FLEXIBILITY AND CHOICE
Another way to help widen access and support more people with declared disabilities is to look at the structure of the apprenticeship programme. For example:
Choice of training provider – Providing the employer and apprentice with a real choice of training providers, based on their individual needs. Considerations could include: the support the training provider can offer, the types of communities and support networks they create, and the model of the programme they offer (e.g. on campus, distance learning or blended). We find many employers work with us, for example, as our flexible model of learning supports a wide variety of learners with a wide variety of needs.
Part-time apprenticeships – Whilst there are challenges at offering these for degree apprenticeships, admittedly, it might be worth exploring some of the pilot outcomes from Timewise in 2019. They focused on part-time apprenticeships for lower levels, with interesting results.
4. EMPLOYER
As the apprenticeship levy is ultimately employer-led, they are the ones that can arguably make the biggest difference, in partnership with the training provider.
Best practice from employers usually includes not only a good diversity programme, but also an inclusion programme. Support from line managers is crucial to support genuine culture change to ensure that apprentices from all backgrounds are supported and feel included and valued, having their needs met and adjustments provided.
It was heartening to be joined online by so many supportive and engaged employers for the webinar. I genuinely believe that we can, and should, us this as a point in time to take stock and double our efforts to help close the disability employment gap and use apprenticeships as a key tool to take people as far as their talents can take them.
One of the main tips we learnt from the Access to Apprenticeship report is to make use of the many third party organisations that exist. In particular look at Mencap, Mind, Disability Rights UK and Amazing Apprenticeships new Genie Programme, which will help employers build competence to widen access to apprenticeships.