Forth Valley College has launched an exciting range of Foundation Apprenticeships which will offer 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.
In academic year 2018-2019, Foundation Apprenticeships will be 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). All are due to start in August 2018 and applications will go live for the FA courses in January 2018.
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.
Fiona Brown, Vice Principal Learning and Quality at Forth Valley College said: “We are delighted to be offering senior school pupils the opportunity to study for a Foundation Apprenticeship qualification. Forth Valley College is already a leading provider of Modern Apprenticeships and it is a great fit for us to add these new programmes to our diverse portfolio.
“The qualifications will be an excellent starting point for young people who would like to move into a Modern Apprenticeship, further education or employment when they leave school and will give them an even greater chance of landing the role they are looking for. The skills they develop will be highly valued by employers and the pupils will get the opportunity to gain valuable and relevant work experience.”
Clackmannanshire Education Spokesperson Cllr Graham Lindsay said: “We are working with our partners to provide a range of ways for our young people to gain skills and experience to ensure they have the best possible employment opportunities for the future. These Foundation Apprenticeships give pupils a chance to gain these skills, along with the opportunity to progress onto a Modern Apprenticeship, college or university.”
David Mackay, Head of Education at Falkirk Council, said: “We are working closely with Forth Valley College to give our young people a greater range of qualifications which develop the skills so eagerly sought by employers.
“Our schools continue to find a range of pathways which meet the needs of the individual pupil and the addition of the new Foundation Apprenticeships to the Forth Valley College qualification portfolio is an excellent vehicle to do this.
“The young people have the opportunity to study a Higher level qualification while also gaining valuable experience in, and of, the world of work. The expansion of the Foundation Apprenticeship offer is a fantastic example of how schools, colleges and employers can work in partnership to prepare our young people for the world of work in the 21st Century.”
Stirling Council’s Education Convenor Susan McGill said: “We are committed both at Stirling Council and across our schools, not only to making sure our young people achieve positive destinations after leaving school, but helping to develop a strong workforce across the Stirling area. Foundation Apprenticeships provide a fantastic balance between gaining crucial workplace experience, while also giving students the chance to develop the knowledge they’ll need in the future to stay ahead of the curve in their chosen career. These courses are a great option and I predict they’ll be very popular with prospective students across the Stirling area.”
Diane Greenlees, Head of Foundation and Graduate Level Apprenticeships at Skills Development Scotland said: “By combining learning at college and in a real workplace Foundation Apprenticeships are the ideal way for pupils to gain real experience working on real projects with some of Scotland’s biggest and best employers.
“Foundation Apprenticeships are based on existing Modern Apprenticeships and equip young people with the qualifications, experience and skills that employers want, so individuals who find they thrive in a work-based setting can go on to complete a related Modern Apprenticeship in less time, helping them to get a head start in their career. They are also recognised qualifications for admission to College and University courses.
“SDS is delighted to be working with Forth Valley College to deliver Foundation Apprenticeships and we look forward to working together to develop the skills employers need.”
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