Northern Regional College, in partnership with Triangle Progression to Employment Service and Causeway Chamber, has secured funding through the Department for the Economy’s Apprenticeship Inclusion Challenge Fund to deliver a new pilot initiative aimed at increasing participation of individuals with disabilities in apprenticeships across Northern Ireland.

The initiative was formally launched at an event “Talent Knows No Limits: Building a Workforce Without Barriers”, held at Northern Regional College’s Coleraine campus on 19 June 2025. The event brought together employers, educators, policy leaders, and disability inclusion advocates to explore how to remove barriers to employment and create accessible pathways into the workforce.

The project will deliver a Foundation Apprenticeship in Health & Social Care, designed specifically to support individuals with disabilities through a combination of accessible training and tailored wraparound support.

Expert Insights and Employer Engagement

The launch event featured contributions from a range of expert speakers, including:

• Jude Morrow, autistic entrepreneur and founder of Neurodiversity Training International, who delivered a keynote on unlocking the potential of neurodivergent individuals in the workforce
• Edyth Dunlop, NI Union of Supported Employment, on connecting employers with disability support services
• Una Wilson, Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, on legal and practical approaches to inclusive recruitment

Attendees also heard directly from local employers and individuals with lived experience, who shared the challenges and benefits of building more inclusive employment practices.

A Collaborative Model for Regional Impact

The initiative seeks to demonstrate a scalable model for inclusive apprenticeships that can be adopted regionally. By co-designing solutions with employers, training providers, and disability organisations, the project addresses long-standing systemic and societal barriers—including low employer awareness, lack of flexible pathways, and limited support structures.

Lynsey Sloan, Head of Department, Health, Sport & Care of Northern Regional College, said:
“This initiative is about creating opportunities and opening access to meaningful training and employment, not just for individuals with disabilities, but for a more equitable society as a whole.  By partnering with Triangle and Causeway Chamber, and working closely with employers, we are embedding inclusive practices from the outset. Our aim is to not only support participants through a tailored Foundation Apprenticeship in Health & Social Care, but to also challenge outdated perceptions and champion a culture of belonging across the employment landscape. We are proud to collaborate with our partners to lead the way in inclusive apprenticeship provision, and we see this pilot as the first step toward a more inclusive regional workforce model.”

Norman Sterritt, Progression to Employment Manager at Triangle, commented:
“People with disabilities bring valuable skills and perspectives to the workforce. With the right support, inclusive apprenticeships can become a sustainable and impactful employment pathway.”

James Kilgore, President of Causeway Chamber, added:
“Employers want to be inclusive, and this project gives them the tools to do that with confidence. It’s an important step towards building a workforce that reflects the full diversity of our community.”

For further information about the project please contact:

Gabrielle Quinn

Business Engagement Officer

Northern Regional College

Gabrielle.quinn@nrc.ac.uk