An apprenticeship can help you to kick start your career, gain work experience, develop transferable skills and qualities and gain a competitive advantage when progressing beyond your apprenticeship.
There are 3 types of apprenticeships – foundation, modern and graduate.
Foundation apprenticeships
Foundation apprenticeships (FAs) allow high school pupils to gain work experience in 5th or 6th year at school while achieving a recognised qualification at SCQF (Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework) level 6. They provide a mix of practical, hands-on experience in a workplace, along with structured learning.
The work experience placements are unpaid. The City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) have previously offered FAs in childcare, business skills, food and drink, creative and digital media and construction. High school pupils can find out more information from their school teachers.
Modern apprenticeships
Modern apprenticeships (MAs) allow you to earn a wage and gain skills and experience required within a chosen sector without needing to study full-time. They offer the chance to gain an industry recognised qualification at SCQF levels 5 to 9. People can apply for an MA with CEC if they have left high school within the last 3 years or are up to the age of 29 if care experienced or have a disability or are currently on a CEC employability programme. Presently we have apprenticeships in areas including early years, business admin, trades, HGV mechanics and road workers.
Modern apprenticeships take either 2 or 4 years to complete depending on the area of work. Most trades related apprenticeships are 4 years while others are 2 years in length.
Apprentices can achieve qualifications at a variety of SCQF levels 4 to 11.
Graduate apprenticeships
Providing a new way into degree-level study, people of any age can access them. They give you the chance to gain a recognised qualification at SCQF level 9 or 10 (degree level) while in paid work and they take 4 years to complete.
They are also a great opportunity for those that are in work and looking to upskill in their chosen field. Graduate apprentices spend around 80% of their time in the workplace and 20% at university, combining work and study and allowing them to earn while they learn. GAs have eligibility criteria including being educated to higher level. Choosing from 14 different types of apprenticeships, graduate apprentices will obtain an ordinary or masters degree on completion.
Interested?
Visit our Jobs Board for the latest available vacancies.
Find out more about how you can become an apprentice at apprenticeships.scot
