Foundation Apprenticeships

Introduction

Foundation Apprenticeships are work-based learning courses built around sectors where Labour Market Information has indicated expected growth and labour demand over the coming years. They are designed to give pupils real-life experience of the workplace while still studying at school. 

Further information is given on the Aberdeenshire DYW website.

Level 6 FAs

The majority of our FAs are offered at SCQF Level 6 and are recognised by colleges and universities as being the equivalent of a grade A or B at Higher, or in some cases two Bs (see FA to degree opportunities table and exploration tool below).  There are snapshots on each of the FAs given further down the page. 

The Qualification is split into two parts

• In-school teaching and coursework (NPA)

• On-site or Virtual Work Placement (SVQ). 

Assessment is ongoing throughout the year - there is no final exam with the qualification being awarded on a pass/fail basis.

Placements are organised centrally by the Council Work Placement Unit although can be self-found by the pupil if preferred. Placement providers in previous years include Wood Plc, Balfour Beattie, Matrix, Sodexo, Foyer Aberdeen, Aberdeen Harbour, McIntosh Donald, Bancon Homes, Macphies, Burnside Care Home, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Poppies pre-school, Laurencekirk Pre-school, KR Group, C&I Engineering Solutions, Practical Business Solutions, Stonehaven Community Centre and many of our cluster primaries. 

Level 5 FA

Construction is currently our only level 5 FA. It is delivered by tutors from the construction industry and is based fully in school, 4 periods per week. As part of the Construction course, pupils will complete a work-based challenge. In previous years this has involved, for example, making mud-kitchens for local pre-schools and primaries. The course is assessed throughout the year - there is no final exam with the qualification awarded on a pass/fail basis. 

University and College Opportunities

The tables below show how colleges and universities recognise the various Foundation Apprenticeships.

For the most up to date info and more specific details please use the exploration tool on Apprenticeships.scot.

Course Snapshots:

Business Skills, Construction, Children & Young People, Health & Social Care and Scientific Technologies have all been delivered on site previously. This is dependent on numbers, however, with pupils sometimes having to travel to join groups in Mackie/Portlethen if not enough to run a class on site at Mearns Academy. 

The two IT courses, Food & Drink Technology and Creative & Digital Media courses will all likely run off-site due to facilities required. Delivery varies but it is likely to involve either a full day out of school or two half days. 

Further Information about Foundation Apprenticeships

What are Foundation Apprenticeships? (SDS, Education Scotland) 

DYW Aberdeenshire YouTube Channel (includes videos, case-studies, pupil-feedback)

Aberdeenshire Council FA Social Media:
Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram, Tiktok.