Apprenticeships develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce

Businesses that offer Apprenticeships view them as beneficial to their long-term development. According to the British Chambers of Commerce, most employ an apprentice to improve the skills base within their business.

Apprentices are supported by quality training from local training organisations.

Apprenticeships improve productivity while reducing cost

Apprenticeships are boosting productivity by enabling businesses to grow their skills base. The average Apprenticeship increases business productivity by £214 per week, with these gains including increased profits, lower prices and better products.

Apprentices are paid at least the relevant minimum wage and training costs are covered for many apprentices.

From accountancy to veterinary nursing, there are Apprenticeships covering more skills and industries than you would imagine.

Apprenticeships are available at Intermediate, Advanced and Higher (degree) level, covering more than 170 industries and 1500 job roles, from advertising to youth work via environmental engineering and nuclear decommissioning.

Over 100,000 employers are employing or have employed quality apprentices in more than 200,000 locations.

The National Apprenticeship Service is there to support employers and has made it easier than ever to employ an apprentice.

Visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk/employers for more information.

Inclusive Apprenticeships

An Inclusive Apprenticeship is a flexible, bespoke programme designed for those with additional learning needs and disabilities. Almost all Apprenticeships can be made accessible and having additional needs shouldn’t restrict people’s employment opportunities. Under section 20 of the Equality Act 2010, it is the duty of education and training providers, as well as other related service providers to make reasonable adjustments for people with learning difficulties and disabilities.

A reasonable adjustment is a change made so that people with learning difficulties and disabilities are not placed at a disadvantaged compared to people without learning difficulties or disabilities.

A reasonable adjustment is a change made so that people with learning difficulties and disabilities are not placed at a disadvantaged compared to people without learning difficulties or disabilities.

• Reasonable adjustments include things like:
  • changing the recruitment process so a candidate can be considered for a job
  • doing things another way, such as allowing someone with social anxiety disorder to have their own desk instead of hot-desking
  • making physical changes to the workplace, like installing a ramp for a wheelchair user or an audiovisual fire alarm for a deaf person
  • letting a disabled person work somewhere else, such as on the ground floor for a wheelchair user
  • changing their equipment, for instance providing a special keyboard if they have arthritis
  • allowing employees who become disabled to make a phased return to work, including flexible hours or part-time working
  • offering employees training opportunities, recreation, and refreshment facilities

Go to the Grants and Funding page to find out more about funding for employers when taking on apprentices with special educational needs and disabilities.