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.
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 Gov.uk website.
To get in touch with your local Skills Development Scotland (SDS) careers adviser, you can phone 0800 917 8000 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, or visit the SDS website 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’ve been made redundant, or you're facing redundancy, 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
When you’re a Modern Apprentice, you’re employed and you get on-the-job experience, and you learn at a college or other place of learning. You'll earn industry-recognised qualifications.
You do Foundation Apprenticeships while at school. You get work experience and you study at a college or other place of learning. As you're at school when you do a Foundation Apprenticeship, you’re not employed or paid.
Find out more about Modern Apprenticeships and Foundation Apprenticeships
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.
Find out more about your rights to fair pay on the Young Scot website.
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
If your employer can no longer keep you in employment, you'll have the option to:
continue your apprenticeship with another employer, where available, or
join a related course with the college, university or other learning provider who’s delivering your learning
Skills Development Scotland will be involved to provide support.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
When you’re a Modern Apprentice, you’re employed and you get on-the-job experience, and you learn at a college or other place of learning. You'll earn industry-recognised qualifications.
You do Foundation Apprenticeships while at school. You get work experience and you study at a college or other place of learning. As you're at school when you do a Foundation Apprenticeship, you’re not employed or paid.
Find out more about Modern Apprenticeships and Foundation Apprenticeships
There are 14 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
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.
Find out more about your rights to fair pay on the Young Scot website.
If your employer can no longer keep you in employment, you'll have the option to:
continue your apprenticeship with another employer, where available, or
join a related course with the college, university or other learning provider who’s delivering your learning
Skills Development Scotland will be involved to provide support.
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)
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’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
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
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
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, 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.
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.
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.
There are 14 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
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.
Find out more about your rights to fair pay on the Young Scot website.
If you’ve been made redundant, or you're facing redundancy, 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.
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.
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.
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’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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
There's more information on the Citizens Advice Scotland website about discrimination at work.
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’ve been made redundant, or you're facing redundancy, 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.
If your employer can no longer keep you in employment, you'll have the option to:
continue your apprenticeship with another employer, where available, or
join a related course with the college, university or other learning provider who’s delivering your learning
Skills Development Scotland will be involved to provide support.
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)
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 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.
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.