What is a Foundation
Apprenticeship?
A Foundation Apprenticeship can help young people gain valuable,
real-world work experience and access work-based learning while
they're still at school, closing the gap between the classroom and
the workplace.
By giving young people earlier exposure to the world of work,
we're helping them to develop the skills, experience and knowledge
they'll need when they leave school. For young people it's the
chance to get a head start on their careers by gaining an
industry-recognised qualification, work on real projects and
broaden their career options.
And for employers, it's the chance to attract highly motivated,
committed young people who are willing to learn, identify young
people who are right for their business and ensure their
organisation has people with the skills they need.
Learning in the Workplace
Foundation Apprenticeships are a work-based learning opportunity
for pupils starting S5 in August. Young people spend time out of
school at college or with a local employer, and complete the
Foundation Apprenticeship alongside other subjects like National 5s
and Highers.
The qualification takes two years to complete and is linked to
one of six key sectors of the Scottish economy, so young people are
getting industry experience which will help them kick-start a
successful career in their chosen field.
Diane Greenlees, Head of Foundation and Graduate Level
Apprenticeships at Skills Development Scotland, said "Foundation
Apprenticeships open up young people's options when they leave
school so whether they want to continue on to a Modern or Graduate
Level Apprenticeship, apply to college or university or go straight
into a job, they have the skills and experience that employers
want."
As well as Financial Services, Foundation Apprenticeships in
Engineering, IT, Healthcare, Children and Young People, Business
Skills, Creative Digital Media and Laboratory Skills are planned to
be offered across Glasgow from the city's three colleges - Glasgow
Kelvin College, City of Glasgow College and Glasgow Clyde
College.
Check out the video on Foundation Apprenticeships
here
Foundation Apprenticeship in Financial
Services
The Foundation Apprenticeship in Financial Services aims to give
pupils in S5 and S6 the opportunity to develop the skills and
knowledge to work towards entering a career in financial
services.
Scotland is recognised internationally as the most important UK
financial centre outside London, with a breadth of services
including global custody, asset servicing, banking, investment
management, corporate finance, general / life assurance and
pensions.
Financial services careers are challenging and rewarding. The
financial services industry has a long history of attracting
energetic, ambitious people looking for the best career
opportunities. Compared to other industries, financial services
firms tend to place less weight on seniority in judging the
readiness of employees for advancement. High performers can move
ahead regardless of age, making this industry particularly
attractive for ambitious young people and the compensation
structures tend to be more generous than other industries.
The Foundation Apprenticeship (FA) in Financial Services is for
pupils in S5 and S6. Pupils complete the National Progression Award
(NPA) at SCQF level 6 in Financial Services and complete the 3
Mandatory Units of the SVQ 3 Providing Financial Services. The
Award provides knowledge and an introduction to the skills that
will help pupils to complete the SVQ units. These two parts, along
with the associated work placement, form the Foundation
Apprenticeship in Financial Services.
The Foundation Apprenticeship will be certificated by SQA.
On successful completion of the components of the Foundation
Apprenticeship, learners will achieve a Joint Qualification
Certificate for the Foundation Apprenticeship in Financial Services
(GL53 46). They will also receive certification for each of the
component parts (NPA and SVQ Units).
View a video case study here
Foundation Apprenticeship in Business
Skills
The Foundation Apprenticeship in Business Skills is designed to
provide S5 and S6 pupils with opportunities to develop skills and
knowledge for entry into a career in the business sector. It also
contributes directly to achievement of the Modern Apprenticeship in
Business & Administration through attainment of core units of
the MA qualification.
Administration, management and leadership are key, complementary
business skills and modern businesses need to ensure all three are
adequately included in the management team. Leadership is concerned
with the big picture of future strategy while management deals more
with short-term objectives, making best use of resources etc.
Administration provides vital insight into what is going on in the
'here and now' and the recent past.
Business administrators and budding managers have a highly
transferable set of knowledge, skills and behaviours that can be
applied in all sectors. This includes small and large businesses
from the public, private and charitable sectors. The role may
involve working independently or as part of a team, developing,
implementing, maintaining and improving administrative services.
The role may require the administrator to take a management or
leadership role on behalf of the organisation or department from
time to time. Business administrators will advance key skills and
behaviours to support their progression towards management
positions.
The first year (S5) of the Foundation Apprenticeship will
feature the National Progression Award, plus the new unit
'Contemporary Business Issues'. The second year (S6) will be
delivered mainly in the workplace. In addition, the Foundation
Apprentices will complete the SCQF level 6 Work Placement unit.
The Foundation Apprenticeship will be certificated by SQA.
On successful completion of the components of the Foundation
Apprenticeship, learners will achieve a Joint Qualification
Certificate for the Foundation Apprenticeship in Business Skills
(GL8H 46). They will also receive certification for each of the
component parts below (NPA and SVQ Units).