Skills Development Scotland (SDS), on behalf of the Scottish Government-led Foundation Apprenticeship Enhancement Group, wants your views on the draft principles and guidance that could help shape the future of Foundation Apprenticeships.

A Short Life Working Group – made up of representatives from the industry, education, skills and qualifications sectors – has developed the draft principles and guidance to underpin future developments with Foundation Apprenticeships.

Foundation Apprenticeships exist to give young people in the senior phase of school an opportunity to combine classroom learning with real workplace experience. Learners develop the skills and capabilities employers need while gaining an industry-recognised qualification.

Since 2016, Foundation Apprenticeships have been available across a range of subjects and SCQF levels. As the programme develops, the aim is to ensure it remains a high-quality, inclusive pathway that helps young people understand the workplace environment through sustained support from employers and industry.

The draft principles and guidance recognise the unique strengths and successes that Foundation Apprenticeships have delivered within the senior phase.

A key priority has been to retain the central role of employers and support the broad range of progression opportunities that Foundation Apprenticeships offer – this includes routes into employment, further education and higher education – while continuing to widen access to the programme and remove barriers to participation.

This consultation invites you to give feedback on the draft proposals.

Here's a summary of the 12 principles

1. Pathway to Employment – Foundation Apprenticeships support the transition from school into work, giving parity with established support into college or university.

2. Real Workplace Skills – Learners develop the skills, capabilities and competence needed for the workplace.

3. Employer Co-Creation – Employers support design, content and delivery to ensure industry relevance.

4. Learning Through Practice – Learning combines real work activities, underpinning knowledge and meta-skills.

5. Continuous Development – Skills and progress are evidenced and assessed throughout the programme.

6. Shared Responsibility – Employers, learning providers and learners work together through clear agreements to develop and support apprentices.

7. Recognised Achievement – Successful learners gain recognised skills and qualifications.

8. Progression Opportunities – Achievement will support progression into employment, apprenticeships, college or university.

9. Meeting Economic Need – Provision reflects national and regional skills demand.

10. Learner Choice – Learners can choose work-based learning pathways at the stage most appropriate to support progression into work, college or university.

11. Inclusive Access – Opportunities are designed to be accessible and support all learners.

12. High-Quality Standards – Consistent expectations ensure quality, credibility and employer confidence.

How can you provide feedback?

We've set up a series of online webinars to allow employers to give feedback. You only need to register for one event.

• Foundation Apprenticeships Employer Workshop 1 (Wednesday 26 August)

• Foundation Apprenticeships Employer Workshop 2 (Thursday 3 September)

• Foundation Apprenticeships Employer Workshop 3 (Wednesday 9 September)

If you have any questions about the Foundation Apprenticeships Consultation, please send us an email at NTPStakeholderEnquiries@sds.co.uk.

The feedback we receive from employers and other key stakeholders will help shape a final version of the principles and guidance. This'll be used to enter a co-design stage ahead of any future development work.