It’s hard to know what career path to choose as an adult never mind as a teenager.
With Foundation Apprenticeships pupils can explore their career aspirations and make informed decisions by getting a taste for their chosen career before they leave school. They provide S5 and S6 age school pupils with an alternative way of learning in a real workplace, working on real projects with some of Scotland’s biggest and best employers, giving them the hands-on experience employers want.

So how does it all work?

It usually starts in S5 and takes two years to complete. It counts as one of their school subject choices, and is the same level of learning as a Higher (SCQF Level 6).
As they work towards their qualification they will spend time out of school learning
at college and with an employer.

So why choose a Foundation Apprenticeship?

When they are ready to move on to college, university or work, it can help an application or personal statement stand out from the crowd. It can also help a young person develop useful contacts and assist with accelerated entry onto a Modern Apprenticeship.

But don’t just take our word for it, hear from our current Foundation Apprentices....

Sixteen year old Lewis MacDonald, an S5 pupil from Notre Dame High School who is studying Civil Engineering, commented,

I really enjoy coming to college and having studied here in fourth year it gave me a taste for what it was like and made me want to come back.

‘Having family who work in this field I’ve always had an interest in it, but it’s by doing this course that it’s given me the opportunity to get a true understanding of what is actually involved.'

With a passion for helping people, sixteen year-old year old, Kasia Wilson a Linwood High School pupil was eager to get involved in the Social Services and Health Care course.

I really enjoy the course - is not only beneficial to this career path, but it’s
also given me skills that I am able to transfer into my everyday school work.

'I’m looking forward to next year when we get the opportunity to do work placement, as it will be interesting to transfer the skills learned in class into a real working environment.
I’d highly recommend the Foundation Apprenticeship courses to anyone thinking about doing them. It’s certainly given me the confidence to follow my dream of working in social care.”

Courses available at West College Scotland across our campuses in Clydebank, Greenock and Paisley include:

• Civil Engineering
• Engineering
• ICT Software
• Social Services Children and Young People
• Social Services and Healthcare
• Business Skills

For more information, click here or speak to your child’s Guidance Teacher or Careers Adviser at school or call Alison Mitchell, Schools Liaison Manager on 07787 985 618.