5. Debate on the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee report: Apprenticeships in Wales

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:52 pm on 9 May 2018.

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Photo of Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Labour 4:52, 9 May 2018

On disability, I think it's fair to say that the participation of disabled people in apprenticeships needs an improvement, and I'm glad that Mark Isherwood has drawn attention to the work we're doing with Remploy. We've also facilitated workshops between apprenticeship providers and regional Remploy offices, and we've ensured that there's a dedicated equality and diversity champion who is working with providers, making those connections with local communities, and I'm pleased to say that the majority of apprenticeship providers have signed up to the Time to Change Wales pledge, which is a public declaration that they want to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination. But let me be clear to David Rowlands that this is a priority area for the Welsh Government. We know that we've got work to do in relation to disability and apprenticeships in particular. We've developed a toolkit, and we've provided bespoke training to that provider network.

I take on board the points made by Mark on the disability training, that, actually, sometimes that is most effectively delivered by disabled people—