Disability Rights UK Into Apprenticeships, Traineeships and Supported Internships Event February 6th 2018
Venue: Resource for London, 356 Holloway Road, London N7 6PA
Date and time: 10:00 am- 16:30 pm, 6 February 2018
This event was presented by our Disability and Skills Unit
Twitter: #DSUevent
The event considered:
- Funding reforms, the Apprenticeship Levy and additional payments for employers and providers
- The advantages of being an inclusive employer and recruiting disabled apprentices, trainees and supported interns
- The necessary reasonable adjustments to make the workplace inclusive and accessible
- The support available to disabled apprentices, trainees and supported interns including Access to Work
We also heard stories from young disabled trainees/apprentices.
Report of the day and presentations
Kamran Mallick CEO of Disability Rights UK talked about his personal journey into education and employment and the importance of providing opportunities for disabled people that include inclusive apprenticeships and internships. Kamran also highlighted the work Disability Rights UK does including information to students through their helpline and their guides on Into Apprenticeships, Further and Higher Education.
Jo Baty, Head of Local Offer and SEN at the Royal Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham spoke about the supported internships project they are running in collaboration with public, private and voluntary sectors.
Caroline Archer from Action on Disability spoke about the role of job coaches, the importance of understanding different learning styles and reasonable adjustments.
Rachel Knight from West London Colleges talked about their student-centred curriculum tailored to each individual student and their holistic approach towards learners.
Naomi Naghales, supported intern from 2016 to 2017, did 3 job rotations with L’Oréal and two other employers and talked about the skills she learned including Excel spreadsheet, administration and customer service skills, using software to update patient’s documents and good telephone skills.
“My biggest journey was my confidence because I was shy from the beginning of the project and then my confidence began to grow. My dreams are having a good job, a nice home, to be married and have a family. Being on the project has helped me get close to my dream.”
Jodie Clark, did a supported internship working with the managing directors at L’Oréal and other areas such as Health and Safety, reception and the post room.
“I felt every emotion you could imagine a person with a disability could feel. It was an amazing experience, it built up my confidence.”
Diane Lightfoot, CEO Business and Disability Forum spoke about getting it right for disabled trainees, supporting organisations by sharing expertise and advice, providing training, facilitating networking opportunities and the importance of getting the culture right so that people can tell employers what they need.
Lauren Bennett, senior researcher, Learning and Work Institute talked about reducing the disability employment gap, the underrepresentation in apprenticeships across a range of characteristics and about their online Employer Toolkit for developing a more inclusive and accessible apprenticeship offer. www.employer-toolkit.org.uk
“If you are a disability confident employer, please shout about it because it does attract people.”
Alicia Moyles, Strategic Manager Employment and Apprenticeships, Kent County Council spoke about successful, sustainable employment- a co-ordinated approach, their supported employment programme which includes contract with adult support services to work with 200 clients a year, being part of the local support employment contract and transition work in schools.
Linsay McCulloch, The Royal Mencap Society spoke about their supported employment and study programmes for people with a learning disability, promoting work experience and work trials, the 3 ships approach and endorsing best practice as an employer.
James R Coates, Traineeship Impact Officer, ICON Training spoke about their apprenticeship and traineeship support and working in the leisure sector, making support and learning person centred and that quality provision ensures value for money for employers.
Harry Masser, ICON apprentice:
“My journey with ICON has helped me develop in many ways. For example, technical knowledge has grown, confidence has grown, improved English and maths. I enjoy sharing my life with other people with disabilities.”
Stuart Edwards, Access to Work Strategy Lead, DWP, talked about the Access to Work scheme and how it can provide help with additional costs and for getting people into work and enabling employers to retain valued workers.
Nasser Siabi, CE Microlink PC explained how providing assistive technology and having the right tools gives independence to employees, increasing work efficiency and makes good business sense.
Catriona Curry, National Programme Manager HEE/NHS, Vicky Self and Charlotte Sutton, NHS talked about apprenticeships, supported internships and work participation schemes available in the NHS and their resources toolkit for employers.
Daniel Simons, Senior Employer Engagement Strategy Manager, DfE, talked (no presentation) about apprenticeships providing high quality training, transferable skills and qualifications, new legislation to make maths and English more accessible and British Sign Language as an alternative to English,
