This L4 apprenticeship will equip emerging professionals in the tech industry to understand the accessibility challenges they are likely to encounter in the digital world, and begin to embed strategies within the workplace to ensure the accessibility challenges are considered before personnel begin the role and very personalised adjustments only may need to be considered. These adaptations may be related to environment, CPD of others, flexibility as just a few examples. This apprenticeship will be designed to complement the digital skills being developed and practiced in the workplace by offering the dimension of the sociology of technology, pedagogy, theories of inclusion, and awareness of sociological impacts.

 

Content will be delivered jointly by Social Scientists and Special Education Needs and Disability specialists. Apprentices will support their employers by addressing accessibility issues on a case-by-case basis, and upon completion of the apprenticeship may continue on a number of pathways, among them: further apprenticeships in digital technology, further study in the field of digital societies (a new UG course which we plan to develop in tandem with this apprenticeship), or continue employed in roles such as service desk management and client support.

 

Despite the apprenticeship being listed as 24 months on the Institute of Apprenticeship’s Standard, within UEL’s delivery modes we believe it can be effectively delivered in 18 months, especially as delivery will be face to face offering a close level of engagement. We are mapping this against two years of part-time delivery of a L4 course, which would typically be 24 months with an extended summer break or 18 months with tuition over the summer months.