Employer Incentive Scheme Extended Until March 2023 For Disabled Apprentices

The scheme is a part of Welsh Government’s new employability plan and aims to help people with disabilities find and stay in work. It encourages employers to experience the benefits of recruiting disabled staff members into their workforce.

Businesses will be able to claim the incentive payment for up to 10 disabled apprentices from now until March 2023, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for the funding apprentices must work at least 16 hours a week and cannot be employed on a zero-hours contract.

The disability must be disclosed by the apprentice at their recruitment stage, before they begin their apprenticeship. Apprentices are able to self-declare and do not need to provide evidence of their disability.

Employers need to commit to employing the apprentice for the length of their apprenticeship programme.

Not every disability is visible

It’s important to note that not every disability is visible. Just because it isn’t obvious that someone is living with a disability, it doesn’t mean they are any less valid.

This includes:

· Behavioural, emotional and social difficulties

· Multi-sensory impairment

· Autistic spectrum disorders

· Speech, language and communication difficulties

· Moderate/Severe/Profound and multiple learning difficulties

· Dyslexia/Dyscalculia/Dyspraxia/ADHD

There is no reason not to take on someone with Additional Learning Needs

Anya O’Callaghan, Social Media Apprentice, has Asperger’s but this has never held her back in her role. She is now helping to develop learning materials within her salon for young apprentices with Dyslexia and Dyspraxia.

She says “There is no reason not to take on someone with additional learning needs. At the end of the day they are like everyone else but they just need a little more support in some areas.”

Contact [email protected] for more information on apprenticeships.