Written question WQ82542

We are focusing on supporting disabled people into employment or self-employment though our employability programmes, providing careers advice and guidance via Working Wales and supporting the current workforce to develop new skills and find new employment. Alongside this we are increasing the number of apprenticeships by providing employer incentives until 30 September 2021, of up to £4,000, with an additional payment of £1,500 to employers for each new disabled apprentice they hire.

In addition, we have developed a package of support providing the tools to create high performing inclusive workforces, helping to remove societal barriers and improve employment outcomes for disabled people. This includes an employer tool-kit - guiding employers through the journey of recruitment through to the retention, an e-learning module for employers on the social model of disability, to be published shortly and creation of a network of Disabled People’s Employment Champions.

The Champions are working with Business Wales and employers across Wales to promote awareness of the support available and utilise their lived experience to advocate for employment of disabled people.

We are also making use of our social partnership approach and our influence to encourage employers to do more to reap the benefits of a more equal, diverse and inclusive workforce. This includes embedding equality, diversity and inclusion into our interventions to support, facilitate and encourage social partnership and fair work, as well as working with employers, trade unions and others to promote best practice.