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<p>We are improving access to apprenticeships for people with learning difficulties
or disabilities. For example, we have introduced legislation which allows the minimum
English and maths requirements for apprenticeships to be adjusted to entry level 3
for a defined group of people with a learning difficulty or disability. This change
will allow more people to benefit from the opportunities available through apprenticeships
and work.</p><p>Our Pacesetter project is working with local partners to test our
policy approaches and deliver tangible progress towards growing numbers of apprentices
with learning difficulties or disabilities. Pacesetters include councils, a school
and the learning disability charity Mencap, who have themselves hired a number of
apprentices with learning difficulties or disabilities.</p><p>The Apprenticeship Diversity
Champions Network has been developed to provide insight and guidance on best practice
in how to make sure that apprenticeships are undertaken by people from a diverse range
of backgrounds, and all members make a commitment themselves to increasing diversity
when they join. The network aims to inspire and influence the behaviour of other employers
to attract, recruit and support more people from underrepresented groups into apprenticeships.
This includes people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBT+, women in science,
technology, engineering and maths and members of black, Asian and minority ethnic
communities. For example, Health Education England, working with members including
Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, have a supported apprenticeship
scheme focussing particularly on learners with autism. The National Autistic Society
has been invited to attend the network’s next meeting.</p><p>Our funding system is
intended to encourage the take-up and likely completion of apprenticeships by particular
groups, including people with learning difficulties or disabilities. The system is
also intended to recognise where additional support is necessary, through extra funding
where the costs of supporting an apprentice are higher, and making sure that these
costs are met by government and not by the employer.</p><p>Our communications and
guidance products aim to encourage employers to hire apprentices with a learning difficulty
or disability and to demonstrate to people with learning difficulties or disabilities,
such as autism, that apprenticeships are an option for them.</p><p>We have integrated
the Department for Work and Pensions’ Disability Confident campaign into the apprenticeship
recruitment service so that the Disability Confident logo is displayed on apprenticeship
vacancies for campaign-registered employers.</p><p> </p>
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