An online employer toolkit has been launched to support employers when taking on disabled apprentices, as well as increase the number of disabled people accessing apprenticeships.

Developed by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE,) the toolkit aims to provide employers with tips and advice to ensure their apprenticeship programmes are open to disabled apprentices.

The toolkit was commissioned by the Skills Funding Agency and developed in consultation with a number of employers who had previously hired disabled apprentices, such as Barclays Bank, Tottenham Hotspur FC and the National Theatre.

“Disabled apprentices are very much part of the equation, and the agency commissioned this piece of work because of the value we knew it would offer to employers,” said Sue Husband, director of apprenticeships and delivery services at the Skills Funding Agency.

“We are very pleased with the development of the toolkit, which demonstrates the simple and cost-effective actions that employers can take, both in recruitment and ongoing support, to enable them to open up their apprenticeship programmes to disabled participants with more confidence.”

According to the Skills Funding Agency, employers that hire disabled apprentices have access to a greater pool of high-quality applicants, with research revealing that the average UK apprenticeship can increase business productivity by £214 each week through increased profits, lower prices and better products.