Building a Strong Foundation

Foundation Apprenticeships will soon be available to High School pupils in Argyll in subjects including Engineering, Health and Social Care, IT Software and Business Skills, in partnership with Argyll College UHI.

Colin Buchanan, Foundation Apprenticeships Regional Manager for North Region said:

“SDS is delighted to be working with Argyll College UHI to deliver Foundation Apprenticeships. The knowledge, skills and experience the young people will gain will give them a head start in their career and equip them with the skills that employers are looking for. BOOSTING THE LO

CAL ECONOMY. “As they develop, Foundation Apprenticeships will play an increasingly important role in keeping talented young people in the region, tackling skill shortages and boosting the local economy.”

Foundation Apprenticeships, which take two years to complete, are work-based learning opportunities for secondary school pupils in S4 and S5. Young people spend time out of school at college or with a local employer, and complete the Foundation Apprenticeship alongside their other subjects like National 5s and Highers.

Each Foundation Apprenticeship has been designed in partnership with industry to make sure that young people get the skills and knowledge they need. In the classroom they cover the theory behind each role – then they’ll get the opportunity to put it into practice in the workplace.

The hands-on experience will lead to an industry-recognised qualification, set at SCQF Level 6 (the same level of learning as a Higher) and based on existing industry-recognised qualifications including Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) and National Certificates.

Foundation Apprenticeships have the added benefit of providing the foundation elements of a Modern Apprenticeship so you won’t have to repeat the parts already completed at school, reducing the time it takes to complete the training and providing an accelerated start to your chosen career.

Fiona MacAlpine, Schools Co- ordinator at Argyll College UHI said: ‘’ We are delighted to be working closely with schools in Argyll to introduce these new qualifications.

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 when they leave school. WILLING TO LEARN And for employers, it’s the chance to attract highly motivated and 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 needed to prosper.’’

From an Education perspective Argyll and Bute Council noted ‘’ Sometimes, getting started in a career can seem like an impossible task. Young people need experience to find a job, but they need a job to gain experience. That’s where a Foundation Apprenticeship can help.

We are delighted to be offering our students innovative ways of learning which will enhance their skills and improve their employment options.’’

Skills Development Scotland, with the support of the European Social Fund, has developed Foundation Apprenticeships which enable pupils in S4 to S6 to complete elements of a Modern Apprenticeship while still at school. For further information visit our www.argyllcollege.ac.uk or follow @apprentice_ scot