Forth Valley College Foundation Apprentices celebrated ‘Results Day’ with Shirley-Anne Somerville, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, at Stirling High School.
Cara Couper (15) from Stirling, who completed her FA in Hospitality (Level 5 Fast Track) through FVC and a work placement at the Inchyra Grange Hotel in Grangemouth, chatted with the Cabinet Secretary during her visit on Tuesday 9 August.
Cara said: “I liked the sense of responsibility that the Foundation Apprenticeship offered and the fact I was treated like an adult. Whilst I studied within the school, I also really enjoyed getting out and about and going to different locations for events such as the Inchyra Grange Hotel and Strathcarron”.
“I plan on staying for school just now but hope to secure a place at Strathclyde University in the future.”
Shirley-Anne Somerville, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, said: “Firstly, congratulations to all students receiving their results today, who’ve worked so hard and demonstrated so much resilience in what has been a challenging year.
“It has been great to meet with young people who have taken advantage of the partnership between their school, college and local employers to undertake a Foundation Apprenticeship as part of their Senior Phase Studies. Their qualifications will play an important role in their lives and for their employers for years to come.
“Foundation Apprenticeships are one of many options to help forge successful working lives, and I wish all young people the very best in their own paths, whatever they may be.”
Convener of Stirling Council’s Children and Young People Committee, Cllr Danny Gibson said: “Our innovative partnerships with Forth Valley College and local employers provides Stirling’s young people with the opportunity to take part in a wide range of vocational courses that combine academic learning, hands-on practical tasks and work experience.
“The skills and knowledge developed through these qualifications allows pupils to progress into positive pathways - whether that’s further education, training or employment.
“On ‘Results Day’, it’s fantastic that Cara and other Foundation Apprentices in our schools are celebrating success in this key part of the curriculum.”
Brett Ingle, owner of the Inchyra Grange Hotel, said: “Macdonald Inchyra Hotel and Spa are delighted to support the Hospitality Foundation Apprenticeships. Young people are integral to the success of our organisation and we are fully committed to offering pupils from local schools, colleges and the Foundation Apprentices the opportunity to gain skills within our hotel. Cara who was one of the apprentices on the FA programme who brought enthusiasm, an eagerness to learn new skills and to be a part of a team.
“The Foundation Apprenticeship gives another pathway for young people into a career in hospitality. We look forward to being able to work with some of the apprentices in the future.
“Working alongside the pupils also gives our team the opportunity to further develop their mentoring and leadership skills.”
A number of other Foundation Apprentices also attended the event:
Lewis Pincombe (Age 18) from Alva, completed the FA in Construction and is now progressing to a Modern Apprenticeship at Stirling Castle as a Cultural Venues Operator. He said: “I really enjoyed the fact that the course was hands-on rather than in a classroom. I like practical work so enjoyed being able to learn that way. I also really liked being able to work with other people, including those in different year groups.”
Lily Monaghan (Age 17) from Stirling, successfully achieved her FA in Civil Engineering and is now going on to study building surveying at Glasgow Caledonian University. She said: “I enjoyed learning things that aren’t typically taught in the school curriculum. The FA also benefited me as it gave me an extra higher without an extra exam. I felt it was easier to revise for tests throughout the year and for me made the process more comfortable.”
Foundation Apprenticeships are new qualifications aimed at young people still attending school. At FVC, the FA Hospitality and FA Construction are carried out at level 4 and 5 and are the equivalent to Nat 4 and Nat 5 qualification respectively.
These innovative programmes – which take one or two years to complete, usually starting in S5 or S6 – are being offered in partnership with Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannanshire schools.
They help link senior school pupils with local employers and aim to help them to build their future careers. Upon completion of a Foundation Apprenticeship pupils can progress onto a Modern Apprenticeship, college study or a university degree.
The FAs at level 6 (equivalent to a Higher) include: Social Services: Healthcare;
Social Services: Children and Young People; Business Skills; Engineering; Civil Engineering; Creative and Digital Media; and Software Development.
Foundation Apprenticeships have been developed by SDS in partnership with employers, colleges and Sector Skills Councils to create stronger links between education and industry.
For more information on Foundation Apprenticeships at FVC and the application process, please contact schools.co-ordinator@forthvalley.ac.uk , or visit www.forthvalley.ac.uk/schools