Food and Drink Technologies
Foundation Apprenticeship
Description
This Foundation Apprenticeship introduces pupils to skills needed for a career in the food and drink industry.
Careers in the food and drink sector are diverse and exciting. You can support the next generation to work in areas such as:
product development
manufacturing
nutrition
quality assurance
marketing
Successful candidates will achieve a Foundation Apprenticeship in Food and Drink Technologies. This is the same level of learning as an SQA Higher, which is SCQF Level 6.
Example of course units include:
NPA - Food manufacturing: fundamentals of food science - Food manufacturing: food production
SCQF units - Interpret and communicate information and data in food and drink operations - Contribute to continuous improvement of food safety in manufacture
SCQF qualification levels explained
The qualification includes:
a National Progression Award (NPA) in Food Manufacturing at SCQF Level 6
awards in Health & Safety and Food Hygiene at SCQF Level 5
core units of an SVQ in Food and Drink Operations at SCQF Level 6
a work placement
SCQF qualification levels explained
Download Foundation Apprenticeship - Food and Drink Technologies SCQF Level 6 framework document
Entry requirements
Pupils do not need formal qualifications for entry, but they should have:
a good level of English and maths
an interest and motivation to succeed in the food and drink sector
good communication and team-working 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 food and drink technologies.
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.
How does it work?
It's important that industry and employers get involved from the start. During the apprenticeship, each pupil must complete a work placement of about 1 day a week in S6. The placement helps them build the evidence needed to complete the units from the SVQ. Block placements can also be arranged to suit your business needs.
For suggested activities that pupils could do, please read the framework document.
Cost and funding
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.
How long will it take?
It can take 1 year or 2 years. Pupils study a Level 6 Foundation Apprenticeship as one of their school subjects, usually over S5 and/or S6.
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.