If you’re an employer and have questions about Foundation Apprenticeships, you’ve come to the right place.
Below, DYW North East have answered some of the most-asked questions by employers across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire…
What is a Foundation Apprenticeship?
Foundation Apprenticeships provide work-based learning opportunities for secondary school pupils.
Young people spend time gaining work experience in your business as part of their studies in S5 and S6.
A learning provider will also support you by training the Foundation Apprentice towards their qualification and help them to undertake real projects for your business.
What can a Foundation Apprenticeship give my business?
A lot. By getting involved with a Foundation Apprenticeship, you’ll get early access to talent of the future, develop your business’ talent pipeline, fast-track talent development in your business and grow your business with the skills you need.
How does a Foundation Apprenticeship work?
Foundation Apprenticeships are part of the senior phase school timetable. Pupils continue to spend time at school studying their subjects but also, as part of their Foundation Apprenticeship, spend time with a learning provider and a North-east employer.
The delivery and assessment of the relevant National Certificate/National Progression Award takes mainly takes place at the learning provider.
The work-based competence units are delivered and assessed in the workplace whilst the learner is on placement with the North-east employer.
What do Foundation Apprenticeship work placements involve?
A learning provider works with the employer and provides an outline of what the learner must cover during the work placement. This is verified by the learning provider assessor who carries out placement visits to the learner.
By getting involved with Foundation Apprenticeships, how am I supporting young people in my community and wider area?
By getting involved with Foundation Apprenticeships, you’re providing school pupils in your community and wider area with real-world work experience.
A Foundation Apprenticeship also helps young people to achieve an industry-recognised qualification.
Foundation Apprenticeships equip young people with the knowledge, skills and experience to prepare them for the world of work, and help to broaden their options when they leave school.
How can a Foundation Apprenticeship impact my existing staff?
Positively! A Foundation Apprenticeship can enable you to develop your business’ staff as coaches and mentors.
Does my business incur any direct costs with a Foundation Apprenticeship?
No. There are no direct costs to your business and Foundation Apprenticeships are supported by Skills Development Scotland and The Scottish Funding Council. The only thing you need to invest is your time, which can result in lasting rewards with access to talented and driven young people.
What subjects are there Foundation Apprenticeships available in?
With a Foundation Apprenticeship, there’s something to suit every business. Each Foundation Apprenticeship framework has been developed for Scotland’s growth industries.
At Level 6, there is:
- Accountancy
- Business Skills
- Civil Engineering
- Creative and Digital Media
- Engineering
- Financial Services
- Food and Drink Technologies
- Hardware and System Support
- Scientific Technologies
- Social Services Children and Young People
- Social Services and Healthcare
- Software Development
At Level 4/5, there is:
- Automotive
- Construction
- Hospitality
If you’re an employer looking for more information about Foundation Apprenticeships, visit bit.ly/neTalFA or get in touch with info@dyw.org.uk to find out more.
