Unemployment rates in Scotland are significantly higher for young people compared with adults. To change this, we need to support pupils to build the skills they’ll need to be successful when they leave school.

We developed Foundation Apprenticeships to help young people gain valuable, real-world work experience and access work-based learning while they’re still at school.

Closing the gap between the classroom and the workplace

By giving young people earlier exposure to the world of work, we’re helping them develop the skills, experience and knowledge they’ll need when they leave school.

For young people it’s the chance to get a head start on their careers by gaining an industry-recognised qualification, work on real projects and broaden their career options when they leave school.

And for employers, it’s the chance to attract highly motivated and committed young people who are willing to learn, identify young people who are right for your business and ensure your organisation has people with the skills you need.

Learning in the workplace

Foundation Apprenticeships are a work-based learning opportunity for senior-phase secondary school pupils.  Lasting two years, pupils typically begin their Foundation Apprenticeship in S5.  Young people spend time out of school at college or with a local employer, and complete the Foundation Apprenticeship alongside their other subjects like National 5s and Highers.

Foundation Apprenticeships are currently available in eight subjects incliding civil engineering, software development and financial services.  Foundation Apprenticeships are linked to growth sectors of the Scottish economy, so young people are getting industry experience which will help them kick-start a successful career in their chosen field.

Future ambition

Foundation apprenticeships are a fundamental change to the approach to education in the senior phase and that’s why we want more pupils to have access to more subjects. By August 2017 Foundation Apprenticeships should be on offer in every local authority area in Scotland, and our ambition is to have them be part of every school’s offer by 2020.