A class of Children and Young People Foundation Apprentices made it a clean sweep of success recently on a REHIS course.
The four students identified the food hygiene course as having major major benefits for their own studies, as they may have to prepare food for youngsters in their care.
Amy Blake (15) from Killin, Lucy Wall (17) from Falkirk, Chloe Rose (17) and Jack Dougan both from Denny were the teenage students who cleaned up by learning about food hygiene safety and are pictured here with Hospitality Lecturer Chris Nixon and their own lecturer Barbara Johnstone
Barbara, a FVC Early Education lecturer, said: “The students spoke to me about doing the REHIS certificate. Several employers who had offered work placements had stated that the students were limited when it came to food handling and were missing out on lots of activities. So this class wanted to make sure they would not lose out when on placement.
“Funding was the issues but after discussion and meetings with Helen Young Head of Curriculum funding was secured for the students to do this in house within the college’s Hospitality Department, who have been brilliant with them. All students completed and passed this course with some of the highest marks ever seen."
Forth Valley College offers an exciting range of Foundation Apprenticeships which allows S5 pupils from local schools the opportunity to complete elements of a Modern Apprenticeship (MA) while still at school, gaining the skills and experience that employers need.
These innovative programmes, being offered in partnership with Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannanshire schools, will link senior school pupils with local employers and aims 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.
Foundation Apprenticeships are currently available in Social Services and Healthcare; Social Services Children and Young People; Business Skills; IT Hardware System Support; Engineering; Accountancy; Civil Engineering; Creative and Digital Media; Food and Drink Operations; and Scientific Technologies (Laboratory Skills).
Foundation Apprenticeships have been developed by SDS in partnership with employers, colleges and Sector Skills Councils to create stronger links between education and industry.
They combine academic learning with hands-on skills to develop the knowledge, skills and work experience that will help to broaden options for students, enabling them to go on to complete a Modern Apprenticeship, attend college or university or go directly into employment.
The innovative frameworks, which are at the same level as Higher qualifications, are based on the success of existing MA qualifications. Pupils will embark on the programmes in S5 with the duration varying depending on the subject area. Pupils will spend time undertaking learning at college and also benefit from high quality work experience with local employers.
For more information on Foundation Apprenticeships at FVC and the application process, please contact schools.co-ordinator@forthvalley.ac.uk , call 01324 403211 or visit www.forthvalley.ac.uk/FA