FOUNDATION APPRENTICESHIPS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- WHAT IS A FOUNDATION APPRENTICESHIP?
Foundation Apprenticeships are open to school pupils starting S5 in August who want to get a head start in their career and takes two years to complete. During this time students will spend part of the week out of school getting hands-on experience at college; they also work on real projects with an employer. Students study towards an industry-recognised qualification alongside their other school subjects.
- WHAT LEVEL IS A FOUNDATION APPRENTICESHIP SET AT?
A Foundation Apprenticeship is set at SCQF Level 6 (the same level of learning as a Higher).
- HOW IS A FOUNDATION APPRENTICESHIP DELIVERED?
The Foundation Apprenticeship will be delivered over two afternoons a week (Tuesday and Thursday). During the second year, students will also gain hands-on experience with an employer. Students will work industry recognised qualifications including Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs), National Certificates (NC) and National Progression Awards (NPAs).
- FOUNDATION AND MODERN APPRENTICESHIP WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
A Foundation Apprenticeship is industry-recognised and enables young people to complete elements of a Modern Apprenticeship before they leave school. So, if your business is already involved in Modern Apprenticeships it allows you to identify high performing young people who can go on to complete and fast track a Modern Apprenticeship saving you both time and money.
- WHY SHOULD I GET INVOLVED?
These apprenticeships have been developed in partnership with Industry and are a great way for young people to broaden their options and get a taste of their potential career before they have left school.
You as an employer help to deliver the work based elements of the programme and work in partnership with the college to shape and develop the next generation. Foundation Apprenticeship employers are better able to identify and retain new talent with their skills and business needs and therefore could play a vital part of your succession planning strategy.
“It has proven to us that youth is a great opportunity, for us as a company we think it’s the way forward.”
Susan Kilpatrick, Risk Manager, Tesco Bank
“The benefits for the company are that we have a group of young people who are better trained, educated and better ready for work than we have ever seen before.”
Bob Watson, Managing Director, Greenfold Systems