A MAJOR new initiative aimed at increasing the take up of apprenticeships among disabled people has been announced.
Skill, the national bureau for disabled students, and disabled employment specialists Remploy, hope to place 350 disabled people into apprenticeships by March 2012.
Skill’s chief executive, Benet Middleton, said:
“There remains a real problem for disabled people wanting to get into apprenticeships.
“The proportion of apprentices declaring a learning difficulty and/or disability has been falling over the last four years to 8.4% among 19-24 year olds.
“We think something needs to be done about this and are delighted to be working with Remploy and the National Apprenticeships Services to try and change it.”
The pilot scheme, called Diversity in Apprenticeships, will give disabled young people information, advice and support to join an apprenticeship programme.
Disabled young people who are interested in starting an apprenticeship, and key advisers who work with them, can call the Skill helpline for more information. Tel: 0800 328 5050. Email: info@skill.org.uk
