Frequently asked questions
So that we can answer your question as quickly as possible, choose the option that best describes you.
Current apprentices
Got a question about your apprenticeship? These are answers to popular questions asked by apprentices.
Still can't find what you're looking for? You could ask your employer or learning provider - or call our friendly team on 0800 917 8000.
Yes, it’s often possible to move on to an apprenticeship at a higher level. For example, you might finish a Foundation Apprenticeship and move on to a Modern Apprenticeship.
There are a few things you and your employer need to consider. Here are some questions to chat to them about:
Will your job role change if you move to a higher-level apprenticeship?
Are you personally ready to take that next step?
Is your existing or new employer prepared to support you through another apprenticeship?
When you browse the types or frameworks of apprenticeship, there’s information in each one about how you can move on to other paths such as study or work.
If you need to put your studies on hold, firstly speak to your learning provider and they can advise you.
There could be several reasons why you need to put your studies on hold for a while, such as ill health. You may be able to do this for up to 12 months. If you put them on hold for longer than 12 months, speak to Skills Development Scotland or your learning provider.
You might be eligible for accelerated entry back into the programme based on the level of learning you reached before.
Try having a chat with your learning provider first. They may be able to help you with the issue or guide you through the complaints process if appropriate. Explain what you think could be better about your training. They could suggest ways to improve it, or you may have an idea about what you'd like to do differently.
You can put your concerns in writing by sending an email to your learning provider that explains what issues you have raised. This will help keep a record of everything discussed. If this doesn't help, let your employer know. They can contact Skills Development Scotland on 0800 783 6000 and we can work together to find a solution.
Every worker in the UK is entitled to a minimum number of paid holidays. You’re entitled to 5.6 weeks (that’s 28 days if you work 5 days a week) of paid leave per year. Find out more about your rights, including paid leave, on the My World of Work website or Gov.uk website.
Yes, employers do have the right to tell you when to take your holiday allowance, or annual leave, if they need to. For example, if your workplace closes for a week, they can tell everyone to use their holiday entitlement.
If a long time has passed since you applied for an apprenticeship and you haven't heard anything, double-check the closing date. Then you could send a polite enquiry to the employer or learning provider who posted it, on their website. Some employers don't reply to everyone who applies or contacts them. It doesn't mean you did anything wrong on your application. Instead, it may happen if they get hundreds of applications for a popular vacancy.
To get in touch with your local Skills Development Scotland careers adviser, you can phone 0800 917 8000 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, or visit My World of Work to find your nearest centre.
If you're at school you can speak to your school careers adviser - check with your guidance teacher if you need more information.
If you haven't completed the full Foundation Apprenticeship, you’ll still get a certificate of achievement from SQA. This confirms all elements that you’ve achieved from taking the Foundation Apprenticeship. You can add these to your CV to show the knowledge, understanding and skills that you’ve gained.
Please contact your learning provider directly to discuss this further. All results are submitted to SQA by the school or learning provider where you undertook the qualification.
Foundation Apprenticeship (FA) certificates will be issued by SQA. Your certificate of achievement record will include your FA achievement. If your certificate does not include your FA please contact your learning provider directly.
Yes, it’s often possible to move on to an apprenticeship at a higher level. For example, you might finish a Foundation Apprenticeship and move on to a Modern Apprenticeship.
There are a few things you and your employer need to consider. Here are some questions to chat to them about:
Will your job role change if you move to a higher-level apprenticeship?
Are you personally ready to take that next step?
Is your existing or new employer prepared to support you through another apprenticeship?
When you browse the types or frameworks of apprenticeship, there’s information in each one about how you can move on to other paths such as study or work.
A Foundation Apprenticeship takes 1 or 2 school years to complete. It depends on the SCQF level of the apprenticeship you’re doing and how your school delivers it. For more information, have a chat with your guidance teacher or school careers adviser.
To become a Modern Apprentice, you should be the legal age to leave school in Scotland.
You can apply before you leave school or any time after that. You must have left school before you start the apprenticeship.
There’s no maximum age to do a Modern Apprenticeship but funding that the employer gets for some apprenticeships is different if you’re 25 or older.
Watch this video (jump to 1 minute 24 seconds) about school leaving age and applying for apprenticeships
Find out more about Modern Apprenticeships
Each Modern Apprenticeship tells you all about the subject and if there are any entry requirements. Check out all apprenticeship types and filter on ‘Modern Apprenticeships’ to read about each one.
It’s not just about qualifications, though – if you have great work experience, that’ll also be considered when you apply.
That’s up to your new employer, so the best thing is to ask them before you decide to move. Your learning provider might be able to help you explore your options with your new employer so it's a good idea to chat to them, too.
Yes, you're allowed time away from your workplace to study. Your workplace could be, for example:
an office
a workshop or factory
a shop
your home office
Your learning provider can tell you about all training that takes place at or away from your workplace, for example at college.
The time you spend in apprenticeship training that's not in your workplace is considered 'time spent at work'. This includes the time needed to prepare and undertake assessments.
Yes, it’s often possible to move on to an apprenticeship at a higher level. For example, you might finish a Foundation Apprenticeship and move on to a Modern Apprenticeship.
There are a few things you and your employer need to consider. Here are some questions to chat to them about:
Will your job role change if you move to a higher-level apprenticeship?
Are you personally ready to take that next step?
Is your existing or new employer prepared to support you through another apprenticeship?
When you browse the types or frameworks of apprenticeship, there’s information in each one about how you can move on to other paths such as study or work.
You should speak to your employer and tell them you think you should be getting paid more. You can ask them to explain how they calculated your pay. Remember, if they’ve been underpaying you, they’ll have to make up the difference, too.
You can find out more about your rights, including pay, on My World of Work.
As a Modern Apprentice you could achieve a qualification at a variety of SCQF levels, from certificates at SCQF Level 4/5 to SCQF Level 11. All Modern Apprenticeships also include certification of Core Skills.
Find out more about SCQF levels on the SCQF website
Search apprenticeship types, or frameworks, and find out the SCQF level of each
As a Modern or Graduate Apprentice you must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage for an apprentice. You can find pay rates on the UK Government website and on the ACAS website.
The employer should also give you full access to the same facilities or benefits as other staff.
Modern Apprenticeships usually take between 1 year and 4 years to complete. It depends on the type and level of apprenticeship you are completing as well as your own experience. The timeframe can be flexible.
You should speak to your learning provider who should be able to give you an estimated timeframe for achieving your apprenticeship.
Each Modern Apprenticeship type, or framework, also tells you how long it’s likely to take.
There are more than 100 different Modern Apprenticeship types available to study at SCQF Level 4/5 up to SCQF Level 11.
Find out more about Modern Apprenticeships and how to get started
That’s up to your new employer, so the best thing is to ask them before you decide to move. Your learning provider might be able to help you explore your options with your new employer so it's a good idea to chat to them, too.
Yes, you're allowed time away from your workplace to study. Your workplace could be, for example:
an office
a workshop or factory
a shop
your home office
Your learning provider can tell you about all training that takes place at or away from your workplace, for example at college.
The time you spend in apprenticeship training that's not in your workplace is considered 'time spent at work'. This includes the time needed to prepare and undertake assessments.
Yes, it’s often possible to move on to an apprenticeship at a higher level. For example, you might finish a Foundation Apprenticeship and move on to a Modern Apprenticeship.
There are a few things you and your employer need to consider. Here are some questions to chat to them about:
Will your job role change if you move to a higher-level apprenticeship?
Are you personally ready to take that next step?
Is your existing or new employer prepared to support you through another apprenticeship?
When you browse the types or frameworks of apprenticeship, there’s information in each one about how you can move on to other paths such as study or work.
Each Graduate Apprenticeship tells you all about the subject and if there are any entry requirements. Check out all apprenticeship types and filter on ‘Graduate Apprenticeships’ to read about each one.
It’s not just about qualifications, though – if you have great work experience, that’ll also be considered when you apply.
Yes, you’ll have to apply to Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) every year of your course for tuition fees. SAAS will pay these directly to the university you attend. Find out about Graduate Apprenticeship funding on the SAAS website
You could apply for funding for a Graduate Apprenticeship in a similar subject area if your existing qualification is at a lower level. You may also be eligible for funding if you have a similar level of qualification, but in a different subject area.
Find out about Graduate Apprenticeship funding on the SAAS website
You should speak to your employer and tell them you think you should be getting paid more. You can ask them to explain how they calculated your pay. Remember, if they’ve been underpaying you, they’ll have to make up the difference, too.
You can find out more about your rights, including pay, on My World of Work.
If you’re looking to study a Graduate Apprenticeship, you can apply for SAAS funding.
Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) funding only applies to you if you started your Graduate Apprenticeship from the 2021/22 academic year onwards.
Find out more about SAAS funding for Graduate Apprenticeships
Graduate Apprentices can get a range of qualifications, depending on the apprenticeship. They range from SCQF Level 9 (Ordinary degree level) through to SCQF Level 11 (Master’s degree level).
The qualification a Graduate Apprentice gets at the end is the same as the one they would get on a regular course with a university.
Find out more about SCQF levels on the SCQF website
Search apprenticeship types, or frameworks, and find out the SCQF level of each
The time it takes varies depending on the SCQF level you study.
A Graduate Apprenticeship at SCQF Level 9 is Ordinary degree level and will take up to 3 years to complete.
A Graduate Apprenticeship at SCQF Level 10 is Honours degree level and will take up to 4 years to complete.
A Graduate Apprenticeship at SCQF Level 11 is Master’s degree level and will take up to 5 years to complete.
Find out more about SCQF levels on the SCQF website
You might complete the apprenticeship in a shorter time. That’s because you might have learning or experience from before that can be taken into consideration. This means you wouldn't have to repeat some parts of the qualification.
To become a Graduate Apprentice, you should be at least the the legal age to leave school in Scotland. You can apply before you leave school or any time after that. You must have left school before you start the apprenticeship.
There’s no maximum age for applying to be a Graduate Apprentice.
To read all eligibility rules about applying for a Graduate Apprenticeship, check out the SAAS website.
In most cases, yes – the Graduate Apprenticeship courses have been mapped to ‘professional body’ standards. That means that you can apply for membership to any professional body relevant to your industry, when you finish your apprenticeship.
As a Modern or Graduate Apprentice you must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage for an apprentice. You can find pay rates on the UK Government website and on the ACAS website.
The employer should also give you full access to the same facilities or benefits as other staff.
If you already have a degree qualification, you might still be eligible to apply and be awarded for Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) funding. Each university will be able to advise on the funding criteria for individual situations.
If your academic work does not meet the required standard, you'll be able to resit it, in line with the university's policy.
If you’re not successful in resits, you'll be offered an award at the last achievement level, for example:
an Ordinary degree
a Higher National Diploma (HND)
a Higher National Certificate (HNC)
There are 13 different Graduate Apprenticeship types available to study at SCQF Level 9 up to SCQF Level 11.
Find out more about Graduate Apprenticeships and how to get started
There are more than 100 different Modern Apprenticeship types available to study at SCQF Level 4/5 up to SCQF Level 11.
Find out more about Modern Apprenticeships and how to get started
There are 13 different Graduate Apprenticeship types available to study at SCQF Level 9 up to SCQF Level 11.
Find out more about Graduate Apprenticeships and how to get started
Yes, you’ll have to apply to Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) every year of your course for tuition fees. SAAS will pay these directly to the university you attend. Find out about Graduate Apprenticeship funding on the SAAS website
You could apply for funding for a Graduate Apprenticeship in a similar subject area if your existing qualification is at a lower level. You may also be eligible for funding if you have a similar level of qualification, but in a different subject area.
Find out about Graduate Apprenticeship funding on the SAAS website
You should speak to your employer and tell them you think you should be getting paid more. You can ask them to explain how they calculated your pay. Remember, if they’ve been underpaying you, they’ll have to make up the difference, too.
You can find out more about your rights, including pay, on My World of Work.
Not usually – travel expenses to college aren’t covered by the apprenticeship. However, your employer may be prepared to pay some or all of your travel expenses. Ask your employer or learning provider when you meet them.
If you are aged 11 to 26, you can use a Young Scot card, which offers discounts, including cheaper train fares until your 19th birthday. You can apply on the Young Scot website. Young people aged 5 to 21 are also be able to access the new free bus scheme using the National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot branded NEC. Please check the Transport Scotland website for updates.
No. Your employer has to pay for your training and provide you with personal protective equipment. If that’s not happening, speak to your learning provider.
If you’re looking to study a Graduate Apprenticeship, you can apply for SAAS funding.
Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) funding only applies to you if you started your Graduate Apprenticeship from the 2021/22 academic year onwards.
Find out more about SAAS funding for Graduate Apprenticeships
As a Modern or Graduate Apprentice you must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage for an apprentice. You can find pay rates on the UK Government website and on the ACAS website.
The employer should also give you full access to the same facilities or benefits as other staff.
No, you’ll be expected to cover your own travel costs, just like other employees.
If you already have a degree qualification, you might still be eligible to apply and be awarded for Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) funding. Each university will be able to advise on the funding criteria for individual situations.
Just visit our Find a vacancy page and search by keywords, location, job sector or qualification level. Each job has details of how to apply.
If you’re feeling stressed, please speak to your employer or learning provider, if you can. They should support you with any mental health worries or issues.
Our Support during your apprenticeship pages are also here to help you. They cover a wide range of topics including mental health and organisations who offer expert advice.
If you’ve been made redundant, please tell your learning provider (for example, your college) as soon as possible. Then we can put support in place and implement the redundancy processes. Here are some ways that Skills Development Scotland (SDS) can support you:
Visit My World of Work for free help and advice, including the redundancy support tool
Call our team on 0800 917 8000.
Talk to your employer and explain what you think is wrong. It’s in their interest to make sure you’re getting the right support. You can also speak directly to your learning provider to let them know your concerns.
We have information about your rights at work, including about discrimination, on our site My World of Work. We'd recommend reading these and using the links to organisations who can help, such as Citizens Advice Scotland.
If you didn't get the results you were expecting, please contact your school or learning provider as soon as possible. If you're still in school you can also speak to your school's careers adviser.
If you've already left school, you can speak to a Skills Development Scotland adviser by calling 0800 917 8000. Our helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
If you'd rather speak to someone in person, some of our career centres are now open by appointment only. Call your local centre to make an appointment.
If you need to put your studies on hold, firstly speak to your learning provider and they can advise you.
There could be several reasons why you need to put your studies on hold for a while, such as ill health. You may be able to do this for up to 12 months. If you put them on hold for longer than 12 months, speak to Skills Development Scotland or your learning provider.
You might be eligible for accelerated entry back into the programme based on the level of learning you reached before.
Try having a chat with your learning provider first. They may be able to help you with the issue or guide you through the complaints process if appropriate. Explain what you think could be better about your training. They could suggest ways to improve it, or you may have an idea about what you'd like to do differently.
You can put your concerns in writing by sending an email to your learning provider that explains what issues you have raised. This will help keep a record of everything discussed. If this doesn't help, let your employer know. They can contact Skills Development Scotland on 0800 783 6000 and we can work together to find a solution.
If your academic work does not meet the required standard, you'll be able to resit it, in line with the university's policy.
If you’re not successful in resits, you'll be offered an award at the last achievement level, for example:
an Ordinary degree
a Higher National Diploma (HND)
a Higher National Certificate (HNC)