Dr. Mary-Liz Trant:

On learning issues such as dyslexia and so on, and colleagues in the ETBs may comment as well, there is a whole range of supports that are available. It was confirmed in the recent survey that there is a slightly higher proportion of apprentices than in the overall system who identify as having some sort of a learning issue. As a result, there is a very proactive offer to apprentices to provide extra supports in terms of writing, maths and so on. There are other disability supports, too. The same goes for higher education. There is a good wraparound. However, we have heard back from colleagues that the challenge is apprentices putting their hand up in time. Sometimes, it is only when apprentices have not succeeded in an assessment when they realise they need a bit of help. There is a constant piece of work to encourage and ensure apprentices know there are supports available to them and then for them to access supports. The situation has improved a lot.