The Apprenticeships (Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for Wales) (Modification) Order 2023

7.  After paragraph 16 insert—

“16A.   Some apprentices with a learning difficulty or learning disability may be able to meet the occupational standard but may struggle to achieve the English or maths qualification at the level normally required. Providers are expected to continue to make every effort to help apprentices meet these standards.

However, in recognition of the barriers to participation these requirements may present to a person with a learning difficulty or disability, exceptions for foundation apprenticeships and apprenticeships will be permitted to the English and maths minimum requirements.

The reasonableness of the adjustment to be made will depend on the apprentice’s individual circumstances and assessment. The adjustment may apply to one subject, or to both English and maths. If the adjustment is only applied to one subject, the regular requirements for the non-adjusted subject will continue to apply. Adjusting the minimum requirements to Essential Communication Skills and Essential Application of Number Skills can be considered by the provider on an individual case-by-case basis where all the following conditions have been satisfied:

• The apprentice has either an existing or previously issued Individual Development Plan (IDP), a statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN), Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan, or a Learning and Skills Plan (LSP);

• An evidenced assessment is undertaken demonstrating that even with support and adjustments the apprentice is not able to achieve English or maths to the minimum level as a result of their learning difficulty or disability;

• The employer and provider must reasonably expect that the apprentice will be able to successfully achieve all other aspects of the apprenticeship requirements, become occupationally competent and achieve Essential Communication Skills and Essential Application of Number Skills in the adjusted subjects before the end of their apprenticeship; and

• There are no industry specific minimum entry requirements.”