Derry City & Strabane District Council are encouraging young people who have a disability to consider an apprenticeship as a pathway to building their career.
Hundreds of local young people have already taken advantage of the Apprenticeship Programme, which puts individuals firmly in the driver’s seat when choosing a suitable career.
Disability Action, which supports disabled people on the Apprenticeship NI programme, have said that in their experience, employing an apprentice with a disability has led to positive outcomes for both employers and apprentices alike.
Shane Mullan kick-started his training with the North West Regional College undertaking an NVQ Level II in Motor Vehicle which he has successfully completed.
He is now in his final year of his Level III Apprenticeship after gaining employment as a car mechanic at a local dealership in Derry.
Throughout his training, Shane was assisted by Disability Action’s Training Support Service, and provision was made by NWRC to meet his individual needs.
Disability Action's Patrick Malone said: "Apprenticeships are a great way for disabled people to enter the world of work.
"Apprenticeships provide exciting opportunities for disabled people to get hands on training, the opportunity to put skills into practice and the chance to gain invaluable experience."
One in five people in Northern Ireland have a disability, and with several dedicated Training & Learning support officers, Disability Action is ready to assist any disabled person who wants to become an apprentice.
Lisa McVeigh is the Training Support Services manager for the charity and leads the team of Employment and Training Officers who support disabled people on the Apprenticeship NI programme.
In partnership with training providers and employers, Lisa and her team provide personal support and mentoring, employer awareness, visits and parental advice and support to young disabled persons on the apprenticeship scheme. She said:
“The thing I love most about my job is seeing participants achieving their aspirations; I love seeing individuals having self-fulfilment, growing in confidence and feeling valued.”
Skills Manager at Derry City and Strabane District Council Tina Gillespie said: “Having a disability should not be a barrier to success, nor should it restrict job choices. Young people with disabilities are already benefitting from the apprenticeship programme and are contributing as valued members of the workforce.
"We would encourage any young person with a disability to consider an apprenticeship to help launch their career.”
If you are a young person with a disability, or an employer considering taking on a disabled apprentice to help your business work better and would like more information contact Lisa McVeigh on: lisamcveigh@disabilityaction.org
Full details on the Apprenticeship Programme and how it can help you can be found here.
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