What is a Foundation Apprenticeship?
A Foundation Apprenticeship lets you undertake work-based learning while still at school to help you gain valuable experience and knowledge. They count as one of your subject choices and give you a qualification that is the same level as a Higher.
How will I learn?
Depending on the subject, they take one or two years to complete and you usually start them in S5. You will spend part of your time at Orkney College and part of it on a work placement with an employer, as part of your school timetable.
This will give you a chance to meet employers in the industry, learn more about careers in the sector and put your newly learned skills into practice working on real projects.
There is no final exam to sit and all of your assessments are carried out in class or during your placement.
This will give you a chance to meet employers in the industry, learn more about careers in the sector and put your newly learned skills into practice working on real projects.
There is no final exam to sit and all of your assessments are carried out in class or during your placement.
Where can a Foundation Apprenticeship take me after school?
A Foundation Apprenticeship can help you progress onto full-time employment, a Modern Apprenticeship, HNC or Degree programme.
What level of qualification is a FOundation aPprenticeship?
A Foundation Apprenticeship is graded as SCQF Level 6, which is the same as a Higher. For more information on SCQF levels, click here.
I want to continue my studies at University, will a Foundation Apprenticeship count towards the entry requirements?
Generally, Scottish Universities recognise Foundation Apprenticeships as one Higher, but this does vary depending on the institution. Some offer enhanced recognition if going to study a similar subject to the Foundation Apprenticeship studied.
You can learn more here or by speaking directly to the University you wish to apply to.
You can learn more here or by speaking directly to the University you wish to apply to.
I would like to do a Modern Apprenticeship when I leave school, will a Foundation Apprenticeship act as a stepping stone?
Progression onto a Modern Apprenticeship can vary from subject to subject, so you would need to seek advice from Orkney College UHI, or whichever College you would like to attend. You can also learn more here.
For the Foundation Apprenticeships in Business Skills, IT: Software Development and Social Services & Healthcare, the core units are the same, so completion of the Modern Apprenticeship will be quicker as you will have achieved some of the units already.
The Modern Apprenticeship in Children & Young People is awarded at a higher level (SCQF 7) so you will have to complete the whole qualification. However, the Foundation Apprenticeship will introduce concepts and learning that will help you when you undertake the Modern Apprenticeship, in particular when in the workplace. If you are considering the Modern Apprenticeship in Children & Young People, the Foundation Apprenticeships is a good subject choice for you to take.
For the Foundation Apprenticeships in Business Skills, IT: Software Development and Social Services & Healthcare, the core units are the same, so completion of the Modern Apprenticeship will be quicker as you will have achieved some of the units already.
The Modern Apprenticeship in Children & Young People is awarded at a higher level (SCQF 7) so you will have to complete the whole qualification. However, the Foundation Apprenticeship will introduce concepts and learning that will help you when you undertake the Modern Apprenticeship, in particular when in the workplace. If you are considering the Modern Apprenticeship in Children & Young People, the Foundation Apprenticeships is a good subject choice for you to take.
I would like to undertake a Graduate Apprenticeship when I leave school, will a Foundation Apprenticeship help me do this?
If you’ve completed a Foundation Apprenticeship, you can apply to become a Graduate Apprentice studying the same subject, if there are vacancies. The Graduate Apprenticeship is designed so that previous learning will not be repeated. Your employer and university will ensure that you join the programme at the right level recognising any prior learning you’ve done.
You can learn more about Graduate Apprenticeships here.
You can learn more about Graduate Apprenticeships here.
How can I register my interest in a Foundation Apprenticeship?
As a Foundation Apprenticeships is taken as part of your school timetable, you just need to select it when making your subject choices for the Senior Phase. This is something that you can discuss with your Guidance Teacher or Careers Adviser.
You can also register your interest through apprenticeships.scot if you wish. However, this is not mandatory and you will still need to select it as a subject choice with your school.
You can also register your interest through apprenticeships.scot if you wish. However, this is not mandatory and you will still need to select it as a subject choice with your school.
What subjects am I able to study?
This year, Orkney College UHI are offering Foundation Apprenticeships in four frameworks. These are:
You can read more about these subjects on the Orkney College UHI website.
- Business Skills
- IT: Software Development
- Social Service: Children & Young People
- Social Service & Healthcare
- Mechanical Engineering
- Hospitality
You can read more about these subjects on the Orkney College UHI website.
I am going into Sixth year, can I take a Foundation Apprenticeship during my last year?
Three of the four frameworks being offered in Orkney this year are also available as a one year, or fast-track option. These are Social Services and Healthcare; Social Services: Children & Young People, and Business Skills.
Due to the commitments require to attend college and carry out your placement in one year, it is likely that your sixth year timetable will offer more flexibility to undertake the fast-track option. We would recommend that you speak to your guidance teacher or staff at Orkney College UHI if this is an option you would like to explore.
Due to the commitments require to attend college and carry out your placement in one year, it is likely that your sixth year timetable will offer more flexibility to undertake the fast-track option. We would recommend that you speak to your guidance teacher or staff at Orkney College UHI if this is an option you would like to explore.
How will I find my placement?
Your College tutor will work with you to identify a suitable placement for you to undertake.
My child is interested in undertaking a Foundation Apprenticeship, is it the same as a Foundation Standard Grade?
No. A Foundation Apprenticeship qualification is what you may heard being referred to as SCQF Level 6. This is the same level as a Higher.
For comparison, the Foundation Standard Grade, which you may be more familiar with, was SCQF Level 3, or the equivalent of a National 3.
For comparison, the Foundation Standard Grade, which you may be more familiar with, was SCQF Level 3, or the equivalent of a National 3.
TEACHERS OFTEN SPEAK ABOUT SCQF LEVELS, BUT I DON’T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS. WHAT IS AN SCQF LEVEL 6?
The term SCQF refers to the Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework and incorporates qualifications gained at school, college, university and through apprenticeships and SVQs. They range from SCQF Level 1 (a National 1) to SCQF Level 12 (a Doctoral Degree.)
Those in education tend to refer to qualifications by their SCQF Level as they are a benchmark for what would be expected of a typical learner working at a specific level. We appreciate this can be confusing for those not working in education.
Put simply, SCQF Level 6 is the same as a Higher. So if your child is studying Higher English, that would be an SCQF Level 6 qualification.
A copy of the framework can be viewed here.
Those in education tend to refer to qualifications by their SCQF Level as they are a benchmark for what would be expected of a typical learner working at a specific level. We appreciate this can be confusing for those not working in education.
Put simply, SCQF Level 6 is the same as a Higher. So if your child is studying Higher English, that would be an SCQF Level 6 qualification.
A copy of the framework can be viewed here.
Where can I find out more information?
If you would like more information about Foundation Apprenticeships, speak to your Guidance Teacher, Careers Adviser or contact Orkney College UHI.
You can also find more information at apprenticeships.scot
You can also find more information at apprenticeships.scot