Civil Engineering
Foundation Apprenticeship
What's Civil Engineering like?
Civil engineers build and shape the world. They work on everything from roads and railways to schools, hospitals and water supply.
Civil engineering covers a huge range of jobs, such as:
civil engineer
civil engineering technician
quantity surveyor
town planner
structural engineer
construction manager
land surveyor
In the industry there's a demand for new, young engineers. Are you a practical thinker and a problem-solver with a knack for science and maths? This could be the career for you.
You’ll gain a Foundation Apprenticeship in Civil Engineering. That's the same level of learning as an SQA Higher, which is SCQF Level 6.
On your apprenticeship, you’ll do parts of the Civil Engineering Modern Apprenticeship in either contracting or consultancy.
SCQF qualification levels explained
Your qualification includes:
a National Certificate (NC) in Civil Engineering at SCQF Level 6
a minimum of 1 core SVQ unit from Site Technical Support or Built Environment Design at SCQF Level 6
registration with the Institution of Civil Engineering or another professional institution
a work placement experience
As part of your National Certificate, your mandatory topics will include:
Civil Engineering Materials
Civil Engineering Project
Computer Aided Drafting: An Introduction
Construction Site Surveying: An Introduction
Health and Safety in the Construction Industry
Mechanics for Construction: An Introduction
Construction Engineering Mathematics
Your SVQ will be assessed as part of your work placement. You’ll achieve one of the following:
develop and maintain working relationships and personal development in construction
maintain professional relationships and practice in built environmental design
Your Foundation Apprenticeship helps you to develop meta-skills. Employers value these skills, which include:
communication
problem-solving
working with others
time management
You'll need these transferable skills for working in a range of other related jobs.
Your Foundation Apprenticeship gives you lots of options, including:
Modern Apprenticeship: When you complete your Foundation Apprenticeship, you’ll have already achieved core units of the Modern Apprenticeship in Civil Engineering. You could progress onto a Technical or Professional Apprenticeship.
further education: Continue your studies at college with an HNC or HND in an engineering-related subject. Your workplace experience will support your college application.
university: All Scottish universities recognise Foundation Apprenticeships as equal to SQA Highers. You’ll already have experience in the industry – this will make your UCAS stand out from the crowd. Find out about points on the UCAS website
straight to a job: Use your qualification and work experience to find a job in civil engineering or construction.
Entry requirements
If you're staying on at school, you can apply for a Foundation Apprenticeship.
How does it work?
You'll do the Foundation Apprenticeship alongside your other school subjects. You'll work on projects with an employer and a learning provider, such as a college. It'll give you an industry-recognised qualification that's great for your CV.
Read our info on the Civil Engineering Foundation Apprenticeship to see how it all works!
How long will it take?
You'll do your Foundation Apprenticeship over the course of S5 and S6. You'll complete a work placement of about 1 day a week in S6.
How to apply
If you're staying on at school, you can apply for a Foundation Apprenticeship.
Use the search tool to find out if this subject is available at your school. Then fill out the form that comes next, to let us know you're interested. We'll get back to you with more information.