More needs to be done to help disabled and Black and Minority Ethnic learners into apprenticeships
Estyn’s report, ‘Breaking down barriers to apprenticeship', focuses on effective practice in addressing the difficulties experienced by particular groups in accessing apprenticeships. Many of the barriers were identified in a report published by Estyn last year. Much of the effective practice highlighted in today’s report could go some way to addressing these issues.
Meilyr Rowlands, Chief Inspector, says:
“I am pleased to see the many examples of effective practice. Work-based learning providers and external agencies are beginning to tackle the barriers that prevent learners with disabilities and from black and minority ethnic groups engaging in apprenticeships.
“This good work must continue. We must continue to address equality and diversity issues and continue to encourage young people to participate in apprenticeship schemes. I urge staff and leaders of work-based learning providers to read and emulate the case studies in today’s report.”
Barriers faced by disabled learners can be grouped into four areas, relating to the job, the employer, the employee and the support. Barriers exist around the nature of jobs on offer, the lack of understanding among employers regarding the needs of disabled employees, a low level of self-belief felt by potential employees, and the inaccessibility of Job Centre services.
Work-based learning providers and employment agencies are supporting employers in adapting practices to integrate clients with disabilities into the work place on equal terms. However, the providers’ role in breaking down barriers is not established well enough and there are not enough links between external agencies, employers and providers.
A number of initiatives are in place to break down these barriers for learners with disabilities. For example, Cwm Taf University Health Board, Elite Supported Employment Agency and the NHS Wales Centre for Equality and Human Rights formed Project Enable to work together and offer four young people with learning difficulties internships with the Royal Glamorgan Hospital catering services. The initiative proved a success and built the interns’ confidence and allowed them to each gain a catering hygiene qualification.
A major barrier for black and minority ethnic learners is the perception of their parents that apprenticeships are for those who have not done well at school. Work-based learning providers are addressing these negative perceptions through employing specialist recruitment officers who provide better information, support and guidance to young people.
The report contains a number of case studies on how barriers to apprenticeship can be overcome, including work undertaken by Cwm Tawe Health Board, and Cardiff and the Vale University Health Board.
Notes to Editors:
About the report
- Estyn’s report Breaking down barriers to apprenticeship was commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Government and is available in full at https://www.estyn.gov.wales/thematic-reports
- The report contains case studies on
- Futureworks, Pembrokeshire
- Quest Supported Employment, Cardiff
- Project Enable, Cwm Taf University Health Board, Elite Supported Employment Agency and the NHS Wales Centre for Equality and Human Rights
- Transitions and Employment Services, Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB)
- Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (UHB)
- Raising Parental Awareness of Apprenticeship Opportunities, Quality Skills Alliance, WBL consortium, Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan
- Responding to the needs of the community, ACT WBL provider
- The Sahan Project, Cardiff
- Supporting a learner to interview, Swansea Ethnic Youth Support Team (EYST
- The work of a Learning Coach at Cardiff City Council Youth Services