The Department for Education has chosen ELA Training Services to run a pilot testing an exemption for learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who face disproportionate challenges in accessing apprenticeships.
Running until 2024 and open to any apprentices, including those already in the workplace with training provided by ELA, the pilot will grant exemptions for certain apprenticeship entry requirements.
SEND learners without any evidence of an education health and care plan or learning difficulties assessment statement with low English and maths levels currently struggle to access apprenticeship programmes.
Under the new pilot, learners without evidence will be able to work towards and pass the lower level of functional skills in English and maths with support (entry level 3).
ELA said in a blog post that this shift in approach holds the promise of opening doors to apprenticeships for a wider range of individuals, empowering them to pursue fulfilling careers and contribute their valuable skills t