WIREDGOV

Foundation apprenticeships piloted for Scotland 

Pupils in Scotland will have access to workplace learning while in school, the Scottish Government announced.

The launch of foundation apprenticeships will offer pupils the opportunity to take part in vocational learning while in full-time education, boosting their employability skills and increasing their chances of moving in to the workplace upon leaving school.

As the new academic term begins, the foundation apprenticeship programme will be piloted with Fife College in five schools with 50 pupils working towards an engineering foundation apprenticeship. A similar trial is taking place between West Lothian College and four local schools with both pilots taking place over two years.

The announcement also comes on the day a blueprint to help the engineering sector meet its future skills needs was laid out by Skills Development Scotland (SDS).

The Engineering Skills Investment Plan sets out actions to address some of the potential skills challenges the sector faces and aims to address the gender imbalance in the industry.

The plan outlines steps aimed at developing routes into the industry, such as improving awareness of engineering careers, encouraging more graduates and women into the sector, and supporting women to return to the sector through the creation of positive employment practices.

Cabinet Secretary for Training, Youth and Women’s Employment, Angela Constance said:

“The Commission for Scotland’s Young Workforce highlighted the need to encourage employers to work together with education and young people. Today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to strengthening those links. It also helps to address the situation where young people find they are unable to get a job because they lack experience and can’t build up the skills they need to help them secure employment.

“Foundation apprenticeships will allow young people to begin vocational learning during the senior stages of secondary school. It will open up more options as they will have the choice of pursuing a Modern Apprenticeship, going to college or university, or moving in to employment with an increased confidence in their skills for the workplace.

“As well as the clear benefits for young people, the programme will also help to ensure employers have the opportunity to directly shape the future workforce.”

Last month, the Scottish Government announced plans to develop higher level and advanced apprenticeships. Together with foundation apprenticeships in schools and Modern Apprenticeships, they form a package of learning that offers experience of the workplace at the same time as participating in higher education.

Ms Constance added: “The launch of the Engineering SIP is further evidence of our efforts to strengthen the bonds between employers and education. The SIP was developed with input from industry and helps us understand what skills we need to nurture and develop to ensure this vibrant sector has access to a talent pool that will support growth.

“While good progress has been made in encouraging more women to pursue a career in engineering, this SIP outlines our commitment to taking further action to create a level playing field for all and to support more women in to engineering.”

Foundation apprenticeships are being developed by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) alongside the Scottish Funding Council, employers, colleges and councils.

Director of Service Design & Innovation at SDS, Jonathan Clark, said: “This new approach to foundation apprenticeships will better prepare young people for the world of work by equipping them with experience and skills, as well as knowledge, they require for today’s changing labour market.

“By forging stronger links between schools, colleges and businesses, we will be able to provide young people with access to work-based learning while still at school.

“The initial pilot projects in Fife and West Lothian are focusing on engineering. Over the coming months we will be rolling out this approach across the country and across different sectors to provide many more young people with the opportunity to develop the skills for work.”