The Greater Manchester Learning Provider Network (GMLPN) is partnering with the Northern Council for Further Education (NCFE) on increasing apprenticeship opportunities for autistic people.
This 13-month project is running from February 2021-March 2022. The purpose of this project, delivered by GMLPN in partnership with NCFE, is to equip autistic people with technical and employability skills to progress into Apprenticeships or other destinations e.g. traineeships, full time education and employment. It will help to improve links between schools/colleges, training providers, referral agencies and employers to improve progression routes between education and employment. The project will include an independent evaluation, conducted by NCFE, which will take place throughout.
Autistic people are already disadvantaged in terms of likelihood of employment. Research on previous economic recessions indicates that disadvantaged groups become more marginalised and further away from the labour market. Therefore, it is vital to provide extra employability support to marginalised people as we move through the post-Covid 19 recovery.
The project has three elements:
- Training and mentoring programme which will embed both technical and employability skills enabling participants to the workplace/further learning with confidence. The programme will include encounters with employers and experiences of workplaces.
- Informing providers and employers how to support autistic learners and employees. Creating a network of professionals with enhanced expertise to support autistic people and make adjustments in the learning or workplace as well as developing guidance for employers with support of the project partners.
- Prove an effective model and provide the evidence base of impact for learners and employers making the case to the Department for Education, the Education and Skills Funding Agency and the Institute of Apprenticeships and Technical Education. Garnering the support of other stakeholders for the level of funding required to ensure an inclusive funding policy that enables progression for autistic learners and a return on investment.
Employer Sub-Group
The aim of the first Employer Sub-Group, taking place on Monday 19th April 2021, 13.30-15.00, will be to review the draft model, based on feedback from the initial Steering Group and to have a round table discussion to support the development of the project and to ensure it meets employer needs. Discussion points include:
- Do you have experience of employing Autistic People?
- If yes, were there any specific challenges you faced around:
- Recruitment
- Support and Retention
- What were the benefits?
- If no, have there been any barriers in place that have caused this?
- If yes, were there any specific challenges you faced around:
- As an employer, what do you feel you need in order to support Autistic People in employment?
- What skills and knowledge (both technical and employability skills) do you value as an employer?
- Are you aware of funding you are able to access to support employers to make reasonable adjustments?
To get involved or for more information, please contact Charlotte Cookson.