Zach's Blog: Are apprenticeships accessible?

Former FLARE member Zach shares how he has addressed some of the barriers he experienced as a young person with SEN when deciding to do an apprenticeship.

Are apprenticeships accessible? A personal journey

Many of us with learning difficulties or ‘different abilities’ as I choose to say, are often not able to or do not choose traditional education as our preferred way of learning. Until I was 18 years of age, even though I went to a specialist secondary school and specialist college, I still had to strive and struggle with English and Maths qualifications, whether that was entry level, functional skills or GCSE! Post 18, Vocational options, such as supported internships and apprenticeships seem the obvious choice for those who want to work, rather than stay in an education system which has usually seen them struggle to achieve and fit in all their life, leaving them with anxiety, low self-esteem and lack of confidence. This is especially true for me, since the way I learn and my passions do not suit ‘education’ and yet I function and perform so much better ‘in the real world’ with adults rather than peers!

So Work, or an Apprenticeship was the obvious route for me…… and surely they are geared for exactly those in my situation! Well, maybe, but it’s not as straight forward as it seems! Why do there still seem to be so many barriers? In this blog, I am going to tell you about some of the barriers people face, but do not fear… I am also going to let you know how I overcame them, to enable me to embark on the apprenticeship of my dreams this year!

Barriers or just hurdles?

Lots of apprenticeships still list GCSE Maths and English as entry requirements. Most, don’t even mention a functional skills equivalent and if they do, they ask for a functional skills level 2 or above which for many has still been unachievable in education settings, before they are working and applying it in a real job situation……which is what the apprenticeship itself should help with? Most companies offering apprenticeships and even most colleges supporting them, were applying these requirements. In fact, my family and I had to point out to colleges, the government guidance that states, if a person has an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP) they are allowed to enter an apprenticeship with a minimum of Entry level 3 Maths and English, rather than the higher prescribed standard, because they can gain extra support with the college element of the training! Another example of families and individuals with different learning abilities being the experts in their field!

Application forms and interviews still need further differentiation too. Things in the employment world are improving for those of us with different abilities but application forms and interviews are still not as accessible as they could be. You can have someone in the interview to help you, questions in advance and differentiated assessment tasks. I had been a volunteer with the organisation I applied for an apprenticeship with, so they knew me a little. I also got my apprenticeship partly through having my previous employer advise the organisation how they may be able to support me, educate them in the Access To Work process and funding available for me to complete an apprenticeship. We need more Disability Confident employers and leaders to work with all other organisations and share their knowledge and experience to enable all potential employers to feel confident and informed about employing and supporting those with different abilities.

This is often seen as a real barrier for employers, colleges and families, but I knew from my supported internship, Access To Work support was available. I knew I worked really well with a 1-1 job coach for this extra support and that my family could apply for DWP, Access To Work funding to provide that support, without costing my work organisation anything extra themselves. So many adults with different abilities or companies don’t even know this is available, let alone how to apply. Those that do know, can be put off by not knowing the system, the paperwork and what on the surface seems like a complicated process. Without someone ‘in the know’ organisations can be discouraged by this extra step in employing a person with a difficulty rather than a neurotypical person. I’m lucky that I did a supported internship with an organisation who is a Disability Confident leader and I have family within that field to help fight my corner, but that won’t be the case for everybody. These extra hurdles appear really high for some but for others who do not know the support is even there, they aren’t even able to see the hurdle they have to clear, just see another barrier!
 

My Journey

I did a Supported Internship in College, at a Café that specifically supports adults with different abilities gain work experience, employability and customer service skills, to support them in transitioning to a more independent adult life. They are Disability Confident leaders. After my internship I was offered 2 days a week paid work, as a team member and mentor to others.

On finishing college and turning 18, I started to look at customer service jobs and apprenticeships in customer service, linked specifically to the railway, which has been my passion and hobby my whole life! I had already started to volunteer at my local heritage railway, which I have been going to since I was 2 years old. I applied for roles there but was unsuccessful and it highlighted my need to work a bit more specifically in relation to administration and office tasks. They had not done Apprenticeships before, but my current employer approached them about the possibility. Fortunately, because I volunteered at the railway already, they knew me and knew my passion, and how good I am at on-the-job customer service skills. With this, plus the support of my Disability Confident Employer and the inclusive attitude of my managers, it enabled us to start the process to register and apply for a Level 2 Customer Service Practitioner Apprenticeship!

The railway line learned about Access To Work process and gained then funding for a Job Coach to support me in my role. My employer & family liaised with the railway line, ATW  and the college, who accepted me onto he Level 2 Customer Service Practitioner Apprenticeship with my Entry level 3 Functional Maths and Level 1 Functional English.

On 1st August 2022 I started the Apprenticeship I had always dreamed of! My Job Coach is amazing and so supportive. I am learning so much and have achieved so much already, even in the first month. I love helping people, enabling them to enjoy their visits to us and learning all the roles within customer service. I even still volunteer on some days off!

Not just those on supported internships or apprenticeships but anyone in paid employment who has disabilities or learning difficulties can apply to access to extra support if they need it, without it costing the employer anything! I really hope this insight into my journey inspires others with different abilities to look more at apprenticeships, delve deeper, get a disability confident advisor to help you and start on the journey of your dreams too! All apprenticeships can be ‘supported’ apprenticeships with the right people around you to get you started. Don’t further ‘Dis’ our ‘abilities’!