How we can help Training Disability Support Services - Help in training Our Disability Support Services continue to be delivered during the COVID-19 period by our team. This has been agreed with the Department for Economy. Our Support Officers continue to deliver disability support across Northern Ireland to all our Skills for Life and Work Trainees, Apprentices and Training providers. Are you a young person aged 16-22 years who has left school and needs some support in training to achieve your goals? Our experienced and understanding Disability Support Services team located throughout N.Ireland can help, advise and assist you to participate in training as well as gain valuable work experience. The team provides Disability Support on youth training, working closely with all colleges, training organisations and the Careers Service, across Northern Ireland to enhance the support necessary for disabled people on the Skills for Life and Work programme and the Apprenticeship NI programme. Skills for Life and Work Programme The Skills for Life and Work is a training programme, provided by training organisations and most of the Further Education Colleges across N.Ireland, for young people who want to develop their skills and get ready for work. If you’re not sure what kind of job you’d like, Skills for Life and Work can help you decide. Skills for Life and Work is strongly focused on helping you move on successfully after you leave the programme. This could include aiming for a Traineeship or an Apprenticeship, or other employment. If you need support whilst in Skills for Life and Work Training our Disability Support Services team can help, advise and assist you to work towards recognised qualifications and get valuable experience in a workplace. Apprenticeships NI Programme The Apprenticeships NI Programme offers training, across a wide range of apprenticeships, to people aged 16 and over. Terms and conditions apply if you are 25 years and over. As an apprentice you will be a new or existing employee, in a N.Ireland-based company, working with experienced staff to learn and develop your skills. An apprentice also receives ‘off-the-job’ training, usually on a day-release basis with a training provider. If you are on the Apprenticeships NI Programme our team can support you to ensure you are making progress in learning and developing your skills whilst working with an employer, and also during your ‘off-the-job’ training to ensure you get the vocational and essential skills qualifications you need to get ahead in your chosen career. Our team will engage with your college or training provider and employer and be with you every step of the way throughout your apprenticeship training. How we can help and support you Firstly, get in touch with us for more advice on how we can support you or link in with your training provider or the NI Careers Service. Once you’re on board with us we can provide the following support: Work with you to prepare a tailored Personal Training Programme to reflect any specialist support requirements you have – and advise and help you get on the right course for you Help you settle into your training course Help you to increase and improve your confidence, self-esteem and value, in order to help you to progress within your training and prepare for the work. A fully qualified and British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) registered Integrative Mental Health Counsellor will work with you Assist you with job or placement matching and help you settle in One-to-one mentoring throughout your training to help you get qualifications Job Coaching (Skills for Life and Work only) – support you on your work placement to help with your induction and understanding your job duties Talk to your placement training provider and employer to help them to make any changes to support you and provide advice on compliance in relation to DDA and other legislative issues Pastoral care to ensure that appropriate safe-guarding and equality policies are provided and observed Provision of an advocacy role to ensure that the level of support for you is fully discussed in association with other key stakeholders, such as your parents or guardian, throughout the decision making process Help you prepare for the next steps once you finish your training Assist with disability benefits advice and guidance Eligibility for support and how long it will last We will support you throughout the 3 years of your Skills for Life and Work Training or on the Apprenticeship NI programme. You can get support from our team if you: Are aged 16- 22 years Are starting the Skills for Life and Work or Apprenticeship NI training in N.Ireland Have a disability Our team is making a difference. We just wanted to thank you all for the difference you and your team have made not only to Sean but our home life as well. The way he prepares and is ready for school each day has turned our home from a battle ground to a wonderful picnic in the sun. Sharon and Dwain Gervin wrote to us expressing their gratitude for the support their son Sean received from the team. Read the full story here. Resources Students & Parents/Guardians: Skills for Life and Work - In-training Disability Support Training Providers: Skills for Life and Work - In-training Disability Support Provision Apprenticeships NI Training: Disability Support Provision Get in contact with us If you would like to find out more about the support we can provide, contact Colin Downey, Disability Support Services Manager on T: 028 9029 7880 or E: [email protected].