Description
This Foundation Apprenticeship gives pupils skills to prepare for a science-based career.
There's a growing demand for people with STEM skills. You can support them to choose a career in this thriving sector and help develop medicines and biotechnology. A Foundation Apprenticeship is a great way into the industry.
The qualification
SCQF Level 6
The Foundation Apprenticeship in Scientific Technologies includes:
- a National Progression Award (NPA) in Applied Sciences at SCQF Level 6
- 3 units of an SCQF Level 6 in Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities (Industrial Science)
- a work placement
Example of course units include:
- NPA
- Laboratory safety
- Mathematics for science - Diploma
- Prepare compounds and solutions for scientific or technical use
- Carry out simple scientific or technical tests using manual equipment
Entry requirements
Pupils don't need formal qualifications for entry but should have:
- good written and spoken English
- numeracy skills
- an interest in working within a scientific technology environment
- problem-solving skills
The pupil would select a Foundation Apprenticeship as a school subject choice. Then they'd go through a recruitment process arranged by the college, or other learning provider. It's great if you can get involved, too.
Progression and development
Pupils will get the skills, knowledge and competence to help them move on to:
- a Modern Apprenticeship
- more vocational training
- further study at school or college
These will help them to prepare for working in science-based jobs.
If you're looking to hire, Foundation Apprenticeships help you spot talented pupils. You can assess their skills on a longer term than a regular interview process would allow.
Your role
As an employer, you can decide what level of involvement you have in the apprenticeship. You can discuss this with the college or other learning provider who's working with you.
There’s no financial cost to you as an employer because the learner is still at school. But investing your time can bring rewards, with access to talented young people in your workplace.
The work placement
Pupils study a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of their school subjects, usually over S5 and S6. Placement experience takes place in both S5 and S6.
In S5 pupils spend up to 10 days learning about the science industries. The learning provider facilitates this, in collaboration with the employer.
In S6, each pupil must complete a work placement of about 1 day a week. That helps them build the evidence needed to complete the units from the SVQ.
Placements must be with science employers and not a simulated placement such as a school or college laboratory.
What's next?
Fill out our contact form and we'll connect you with your local learning provider who can talk to you about working with Foundation Apprenticeships.
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