NPA Professional Cookery (Schools)
***PLEASE NOTE - only pupils who will be at school during session 2026/27 can apply for this course***
The National Progression Award in Professional Cookery at SCQF level 5 is designed to equip candidates with the skills and knowledge required to progress onto full-time college programmes such as City and Guilds Professional Cookery Level 2 (SCQF equivalent level 5) or to seek employment in the hospitality and catering industry, eg as commis chef/chef apprentice.
The NPA is aimed at candidates who may be interested in pursuing a career in the catering industry but who have limited prior experience of cookery.
This course will run on Tuesday & Thursday 1.40pm - 4.25pm at Falkirk
This course will run on Friday 9.30am - 2.30pm at Alloa
This course will run on Friday 9.30am - 2.30pm at Stirling
Please note that the course you are applying for is split across two sessions. When submitting your application, the dates displayed will be for the June Induction in session 2025/26. Once successfully enrolled on this session, you will automatically be transferred to the 2026/27 session, which begins in August, for the remainder of the course.
Content
This National Progression Award consists of three mandatory units (24 SCQF credit points).
Mandatory units include:
- Professional Cookery: Practical
- Pastry
- Food Hygiene for the Hospitality Industry
Career Paths
- Full time courses in Hospitality or Professional Cookery
- Entry level Cook position
- Catering Assistant
Entry requirements
- Pupils will have achieved 4 x Nat 4 including English and Match and/or be working towards Nat 5's either currently or in the next academic session
- A strong interest in Cookery is also essential which should be highlighted in application form
More Info
Further advice for School College Programme and Foundation Apprenticeship applications:
• Please ensure you have an online account before starting your application
• If you created your account prior to March 2025, you will need to register a new account
• Before starting the application process, please ensure you already hold or are working towards the relevant entry qualifications required for the course you are applying for
• Ensure you use your own personal email address when creating your online account
• Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an automated email immediately
• If you do not receive an acknowledgement e-mail immediately, please check your SPAM/Junk folder
• Please include as much detail as possible in your personal statement such as; the reason you are applying, future career plans, relevant experience, hobbies and interests
• Disclosing support needs in your application will not affect your chances of being offered a place on a course at Forth Valley College
• If your application is successful, you will be invited to an information session
• If your application is unsuccessful, you should speak to a guidance teacher or SDS school liaison officer.
• If you are unable to attend the information session or wish to withdraw your application, please email the School Partnership team - school.partnership@forthvalley.ac.uk