Being Disability-Inclusive in the Workplace - New Guidance for Apprenticeship Employers
We are pleased to announce the release of Being Disability-Inclusive in the Workplace: Guidance for Apprenticeship Employers, a new joint publication developed collaboratively by AHEAD and the National Apprenticeship Office.
This guidance is designed to support employers across Ireland to create more inclusive, accessible and supportive workplaces for disabled apprentices and other disabled employees, helping to remove barriers to recruitment, retention and progression within their organisations.
Drawing on research, lived experience and good practice, the guide provides clear, practical actions that employers can take to embed disability inclusion in their organisations.
About the Guidance
Ireland has a strong and growing apprenticeship system, yet disabled people remain significantly underrepresented. While 22% of the population identifies as having a disability, only a very small proportion of apprentices currently disclose a disability or access disability support.
This new guidance is one of several measures responding to that gap by offering:
- Key facts about disability in Ireland
- Insight into common barriers faced by disabled apprentices
- Ten practical steps employers can take to recruit disabled apprentices and other disabled employees and create workplaces where they can thrive
- Guidance on reasonable accommodations, workplace accessibility, handling disclosure and implementing supports
- Links to national resources and funding available to employers
A Collaborative Approach
This publication reflects the shared commitment of AHEAD and the National Apprenticeship Office to ensuring that apprenticeship is open to everyone.
By combining AHEAD’s expertise in disability, education and employment with the National Apprenticeship Office’s leadership of the national apprenticeship system, this guidance aims to support employers to play their part in realising this commitment.
David Nevin, Manager Transformation and Development, National Apprenticeship Office with the National Apprenticeship Office welcomed the initiative:
“We are fully committed to promoting inclusion across the apprenticeship system to ensure learning opportunities are accessible to everyone. The new Guidance for Apprenticeship Employers publication is an important step towards achieving this goal. This guidance provides employers with concise, practical actions to support disabled apprentices, while strengthening the overall quality and inclusiveness of the apprenticeship system. Our collaboration with AHEAD reflects our commitment to identify and dismantle barriers for disabled people in accessing apprenticeships, so that we can continue to build a more inclusive and equitable apprenticeship system for all.”
Dara Ryder, CEO of AHEAD added:
“Disabled people represent a hugely talented part of Ireland’s potential workforce, yet they continue to face barriers to accessing and progressing within apprenticeships and the wider world of work. This guidance aims to encourage employers to shift the focus away from perceived limitations of individuals and towards the conditions they can create to enable all apprentices to thrive. By taking practical, inclusive steps, employers can unlock talent, strengthen their workforce and contribute to a fairer apprenticeship system for all.”
Who Is This Guidance For?
This publication is relevant to:
- Apprenticeship employers across all sectors
- HR professionals and line managers
- Supervisors and mentors of apprentices
- Education and Training Boards
- Organisations supporting access to work and skills development
Whether you are new to disability inclusion or looking to strengthen existing practice, the guidance offers a clear path to progress.
Access the Guidance
Download Being Disability-Inclusive in the Workplace: Guidance for Apprenticeship Employers