Foundation Apprenticeships can set high school pupils up for major success in some of Scotland’s fastest growing industries. Here, staff and pupils at Kirkintilloch High School in East Dunbartonshire share the benefits of these qualifications and why they would recommend them

 

BY ANNABELLE LOVE
FOUNDATION Apprenticeships are a great way into Scotland’s thriving sectors where there is predicted jobs growth and a wealth of opportunities. 

Not only is the qualification recognised by employers, colleges and universities, it also offers young people valuable experience in industries where there is a rising demand for a skilled workforce.

That is why Maureen Daniel, headteacher at Kirkintilloch High School, in East Dunbartonshire, and depute Pam Davie have worked so hard to develop their offer, and even created a hub to deliver this work-based learning from within the school itself.

Glasgow Times:

The benefits speak for themselves: pupils are more engaged, less likely to leave school early, and better prepared for the world of work.

Mrs Daniel explained: “The longer we keep our children in school for senior phase, the better the employability outcome for them.

“Foundation Apprenticeships offer pupils professional hands-on experience and a really meaningful qualification that is skills based, either for those who wish to continue in education or into the workplace once they leave school.

“They give our pupils an alternative perspective on the curriculum, something a bit different and exciting, and that feeds into the rest of their learning.”

The school hub currently offers Foundation Apprenticeships in Social Services: Children and Young People and Business Skills - and the qualifications are delivered in partnership with training provider Tigers Ltd.

Mrs Daniel believes that shared values are key to their success.

She said: “Our school is based on a culture of nurture and our partnership with Tigers mirrors that; the tutors are caring, supportive and encouraging.”

For depute head Pam Davie, the fact that Foundation Apprenticeships are truly embedded into the curriculum has also proved vital.

They currently have 37 pupils across S5 and S6 doing them.  Mrs Davie said: “We have two dedicated rooms in school, so pupils don’t need to travel, which helps retention and allows us to monitor attendance.

“Our pupils know the tutors well, they have an excellent relationship with them and they love the fact that they are not teachers.

“The emphasis is on the holistic skills of each young person, not just how they perform in an exam.

“It’s about developing real life skills, and the confidence to articulate them, alongside academic qualifications like Highers and National 5s.

“The benefit to our pupils is immeasurable, they are more confident, more focused, and the Foundation Apprenticeships have also contributed to the fact that more than 98 per cent of our pupils went on to positive destinations last summer.”

Commenting on the success of Foundation Apprenticeships, Ann Davie, Depute Chief Executive at East Dunbartonshire Council, added: "As one of the largest employers in East Dunbartonshire, the Council has experienced the benefits of Foundation Apprenticeships directly.  

“We currently employ young people who completed these qualifications at school and progressed on to full apprenticeships with us.

“We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with colleges, Skills Development Scotland and other learning providers to strengthen pupils’ awareness and experience of the world of work.”

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The sky is the limit for pupils who choose Foundation Apprenticeships

TWO pupils at Kirkintilloch High currently benefiting from the Foundation Apprenticeships on offer are Rachel McKay and Aiden Spence.

Glasgow Times:

S6 pupil Rachel, 17, believes the work-based experience gave her the edge when she applied for degree courses in Primary Education.

Last year she learned about child development and safeguarding and now spends one day a week at Lullaby Lane Nursery, in Milngavie.

She said: “It has really helped my confidence and self-esteem and being able to speak about my experiences definitely gave me an advantage when it came to university interviews.

“In class you are treated like more of an adult and I love working with the children too - they are always so excited to see you.”

Aiden, 16, is in his first year of a Foundation Apprenticeship in Business Skills - and spends two afternoons a week on the qualification.

He is also leading a project to create a fridge scanner that will produce a recipe based on the ingredients in your fridge, to reduce food waste.

The S5 pupil, who is taking Highers in English, French, History and Geography too, said: “I like the fact that we are learning skills tailored to creating our own businesses, such as PowerPoint, spreadsheets and the political and economic angles. Doing a Foundation Apprenticeship helps you mature - you work more independently and are more focused on getting your work done.

“It’s a brilliant opportunity and I would encourage others to go for it.” 

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What are the key benefits of Foundation Apprenticeships?

FOUNDATION Apprenticeships at SCQF Level 6 are available in 12 subjects including civil engineering, accountancy, software development, food and drink technologies and financial services. A recent survey of learners who completed a Foundation Apprenticeship, by Skills Development Scotland, found that:

97% are in education, training or employment

74% said they had developed skills that would help them in the workplace

72% said it had strengthened their college or university application

  • If you are going into S5 or S6, apply for a Foundation Apprenticeship to get a head start in one of Scotland’s thriving industries. Pupils, parents and carers can find out what options are available in their school and apply online at apprenticeships.scot/foundation