Generally, transition planning towards an apprenticeship or traineeship will have started when you were in secondary school and if not soon after. Think about your interests and skills and see if these can link into an apprenticeship or traineeship. If an apprenticeship or traineeship is what you want, then discuss this with your school and begin to organise some work experience in this area.
Once you know the area that you want to work in, talk with the careers or transition teacher at your school. Talk with the teachers about settings goals and the subjects that you need to focus on at school that will help you to access the apprenticeship and traineeship. Your school may also already have school based apprenticeship or traineeship options in place at the school or be able to link you to another school that is offering what you want.
Talking with your family and friends is also another good way to help in this area because they may know someone in your field of interest who you could talk to or who has a business in this area. This may lead to a work experience opportunity that will help you to make a decision as to whether this is what you really want.
Think about how your Intellectual Disability might impact upon your choices, what things are realistic and what supports could be put in place to help you to achieve success with your choice.
My interests and skills
What are your interests or skills and how could these lead to an apprenticeship or traineeship?
Talk to my family and friends
Family and friends also know your skills and might be able to help you
Speak with your medical practitioner
Ask for a referral for an assessment with a paediatrician and a psychologist
Organise work experience
This is best way to find out what you to do, so talk with family, friends and teachers and ask them to help you get this started
Identify subjects needed
Talk with your teachers about any subjects at school that might help you with this apprenticeship or traineeship
Put in an application start an apprenticeship or traineeship