Apprenticeships: guide for disabled learners in Wales

This guidance document provides information for disabled people, parents and advisers about applying for apprenticeships in Wales.  It includes some background information along with information that is specific to disabled people and should be read alongside our apprenticeship guidance.

In this guidance document the term ‘disabled’ is used as a broad term to cover a wide range of impairments including people with: 

• physical impairments
• learning difficulties (such as dyslexia)
• learning disabilities (such as down syndrome)
• sensory impairments (such as deaf, blind), and people who are
• neurodivergent (such as autism), or those who require support with their
• mental health

It is an individual’s right to decide if they wish to identify as being ‘disabled’. People who choose not to, but who feel they identify with the list of impairments above, are still entitled to the support outlined in this guide. 

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship combines practical training in a job with study, leading to a recognised, national qualification. As an apprentice you will work alongside experienced staff, develop job specific skills, earn a wage and get holiday pay, and get time to study (usually one day a week). 

Apprenticeships are available across a wide range of sectors and industries, including sectors such as agriculture, business, construction, catering, hospitality and retail. 

These are available at a range of levels: Foundation Apprenticeship, Apprenticeship, Higher Apprenticeship and Degree Apprenticeship. 

Who can apply for an apprenticeship? 

Apprenticeships in Wales are available to anyone aged 16 and over including:

• young people looking to transition from education to employment
• people who are unemployed
• people who have a job but are looking to switch careers
• people currently employed who are looking to increase their skill level
• disabled people, people with a long-term health impairments and people with a learning difficulty or disability. 

What training will I receive?

Apprenticeships offer a carefully structured programme that provides you with all the relevant training and skills you need to do a specific job.  As an employee, you’ll be working most of the time, so most of your training will take place on-the-job. The rest takes place off-the-job, at a local college or training provider or at your place of work.

You will usually complete this off-the-job training one day per week. It could also be done over several days in a block. This enables you to develop the knowledge and skills you need, whilst the employer provides the practical experience to demonstrate those skills.

In addition to job specific skills, Apprenticeships will provide you with a set of core skills, required by most employers.  These are called transferable skills because they can be taken with you from job to job and include: 

• communication
• using numbers
• computers and IT
• working with others
• improving your own learning and performance
• problem solving

How much will I earn?

As an apprentice, you will get: 

• paid and be entitled to the National Minimum Wage
• time for training or study as part of your apprenticeship
• holiday pay and other employee rights

Apprenticeship rates are updated annually.  See here for the latest information on pay and conditions: What you'll get - GOV.UK

How do I find out about apprenticeship vacancies? 

You can find apprenticeship vacancies through a range of sources:

• Search our Apprenticeship Vacancy Service at: Find an apprenticeship and Employers who offer apprenticeships .
• Contact companies directly to ask if they have any opportunities.
• Register with job websites
• Attend careers events and employer open days.
• Follow @apprenticewales on social media
• View our apprenticeship page: Prentisiaethau Cymru/Apprenticeships Cymru
• Contact local colleges and training providers

The right to equal treatment

Under the Equality Act 2010, employers must not discriminate against disabled people.  As a disabled person, therefore, you are entitled to receive fair and equal treatment should you decide to apply for an apprenticeship. 

Employers also have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make changes to the workplace to help you do your job. These are known as ‘reasonable adjustments’ (see ‘Getting support’). 

If you are disabled, you can request reasonable adjustments in the workplace and in your place of study to help you successfully complete your apprenticeship

Getting support 

The college or training provider should take the lead in helping you.  All colleges and most large training providers have staff members responsible for supporting disabled Apprentices. These are sometimes called Learning Support Advisers or Disability Advisers and you should be able to have a confidential discussion with them.

In addition to talking to your college or training provider you can also talk to your teacher or the Additional Learning Needs Coordinator (ALNco), if you are still at school).  Other options include speaking to a Careers Adviser, someone in Jobcentre Plus such as the Work Coach, or your employer. Some larger employers will have a Human Resources (HR) department. 

A Supported Shared Apprenticeship is also available through your college or training provider. This provides additional intensive one to-one support through a qualified job coach and/or other qualified specialist resource for apprentices with wide-ranging employment and learning needs to complete an apprenticeship. Supported shared apprentices are employed by an employing organisation that is responsible for the recruitment, employment and welfare of the apprentice who completes their apprenticeship at host employers who are not able to offer a full-term apprenticeship but are able to offer the on-job learning required by the apprenticeship framework. 

Whoever you decide to speak to, you are entitled to have a confidential discussion with them about your individual needs and the support or reasonable adjustments you might need to complete your Apprenticeship such as: 

• specialist equipment, such as a voice-activated computer
• sign-language interpreters for interviews and in the workplace
• extra tutorial help
• providing hand-outs on different colour paper, or in a larger font
• allowing you extra time to complete any assessments or tests
• communication support at interviews including:
• application support and interview questions in advance
• career mapping advice and guidance
• a support worker or job coach to help you in your workplace
• additional costs of taxi fares if you can’t use public transport

Sometimes it might take a while to put in place the support you need. For example, it can take a few weeks to get into a routine with interpreters or note takers. You might need time to learn to use any new equipment or people may not immediately adapt their training style enough to meet your needs. Try to be patient at the beginning.

At the same time, talk to your college or training provider about your progress and let them know of any difficulties, especially if you start to fall behind with your training or work. Don’t wait until it becomes a big problem.

Telling people you are disabled

It is entirely up to you whether, or not, you tell people you are disabled. To request reasonable adjustments, however, you will need to discuss this with your employer and training provider or college. 

The Social Model of Disability tells us that people are disabled not by their impairment but by the barriers they face in their working environment or society, or through the attitudes of others. 

It is important to know, therefore, that employers, colleges and training providers should only be concerned with the barriers that might prevent you doing your job or studying, not the details of your impairment or long-term health impairment.  

It is also important to note that in line with the General Data Protection Regulations, your personal information should be kept private and confidential. 

Whilst it may seem daunting, remember it makes sense for other people to know about your barriers and the support you need to overcome these, for your needs to be met.  For example, if you need materials in large print, everyone who teaches or manages you will need to be aware of this. 

It’s also the case that some of your experiences as a disabled person could make you a stronger candidate for an Apprenticeship. You might want to tell employers or training providers about your skills, or experience of overcoming challenges. 

When should I tell people?

Ideally tell people as soon as possible. The earlier colleges, training providers and employers know what you need, the easier it is to put the right support in place.

The training provider or employer will usually have an Equal Opportunities form where you can tell them that you are disabled.  This form should be separate from your main application and will be used to inform the Human Resources (HR) department of any adjustments you might need in a job interview.

When you apply for a vacancy through the Apprenticeship Vacancy Service you will be asked if you are disabled.  You can choose to answer ‘Yes’, ‘No’ or ‘Prefer not to say’. Your answer will be passed on to the employer and training provider. 

Employers who are part of the Disability Confident scheme will guarantee all disabled candidates an interview if they meet the Apprenticeship criteria. (See ‘Additional resources’)

You may also be asked to fill in a health questionnaire to make sure you can carry out specific roles. It’s best to give straight and honest answers to these questions. However, no one should assume that being disabled, would make you unfit to practise or participate. 

Funding for support costs

In addition to your apprenticeship pay (see ‘How much will I earn?’), additional financial support may be available for you to cover the costs of any study or work-related support and adjustments. Additional funding may also be available for your employer. 

• Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) is extra support on top of other student finance and can be used to pay for study-related costs such as specialist equipment, a British Sign Language interpreter, travel and printing. 

• Access to Work is a UK Government scheme that provides support to help you get or stay in work if you are disabled. The support you get will depend on your needs. Through Access to Work, you can apply for:

  • a grant to help pay for practical support with your work
  • support with managing your mental health at work
  • money to pay for communication support at job interviews

  Apply online at Access to Work.  An adviser will then contact you and your employer to find out what support is needed.

• The Apprenticeship programme provides dedicated funding to employers to recruit disabled people. The Employer Incentive Scheme (EIS) provides financial support of £2,000 to employers to help provide opportunities for disabled Apprentices.
• Apprentices completing a Degree Apprenticeship delivered by a university are eligible for the same funding support provided for a student doing a full-time degree. Support for disabled learners for levels 1-5 who are employed and completing an Apprenticeship via a training provider are eligible for Additional Learning Support funding, Employer Incentive Payments (paid to employer) or a Supported Shared Apprenticeship.
• Before taking up an Apprenticeship, those in receipt of benefits should seek advice from DWP, either by contacting their work coach, or on line at: Contact Jobcentre Plus to understand any potential impact on benefits.

Further information on other sources of funding and benefits can be found in the Additional Resources section. 

• Access to Work
• Apprenticeships for Disabled People | Working Wales
• Benefits calculator – what am I entitled to? | Age UK
• Contact Able Futures | Able Futures Mental Health Support Service
• Disability Confident
• Disabled Students Helpline | Disability Rights UK
• Employment Support | Careers Wales
• Funding for students with learning difficulties and disabilities | Careers Wales
• Apprenticeships - Medr
• Neurodiversity support for apprenticeships | Apprenticeships | UCAS
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP): What PIP is for - GOV.UK
• Social Model of Disability
• Student finance: further education | GOV.WALES
• Universal Credit: What Universal Credit is - GOV.UK
• Making recruitment accessible - RNID