Activating your Foundation Apprenticeship contract
Every year, we award contracts to learning providers for Foundation Apprenticeships. Here’s how to prepare for your contract activation.
Sign your contract
You’ll get an Award Letter and contract - sign and return the contract to Skills Development Scotland. There are instructions about this in your Award Letter.
Speak to your SIA
You’ll be allocated a Skills Investment Adviser (SIA). They'll guide you through the process of delivering a Foundation Apprenticeship contract.
Access FIPS
You’ll need to get a Funding and Information Processing System (FIPS) Licence Agreement and give details of delegated authorities who need access. Find out all about FIPS with these self-service videos and how-to guides.
Prepare for recruitment
Develop a recruitment process and start-up activity. Make sure you align them with key school term timelines.
Browse our marketing resources to help promote your Foundation Apprenticeships on social media. These inclusive recruitment guides help reach a diverse audience.
Guidance on Foundation Apprenticeships
Now you've activated your contract - what's next? Find helpful guidance on delivering Foundation Apprenticeships.
People who'll support you
When you've returned your signed contract, you'll get support and advice from three SDS colleagues. You'll be assigned:
1. Contract Executive
They'll get in touch once you have your award letter. The contract executive will explain the first steps you should take to get started.
2. Skills Investment Adviser
Your Skills Investment Adviser (SIA) will be your day-to-day contact. They'll support you whenever you need it.
An SIA will guide you through important documents about your delivery of the FA programme.
Your SIA will explain the policy and procedures involved with delivering Foundation Apprenticeships. They'll also outline the role and responsibilities of:
you as the learning provider
the employers
the apprentices
3. Equality support
If you have a question about equality and diversity, please contact your SIA first. Although, you may find what you need in our equality guides and resources.
Still looking for an answer to your question? You can speak to a member of our equality team – contact equality.apprenticeships@sds.co.uk.
Understand the programme conditions
Make sure your colleagues and your employers are aware of the responsibilities in the Foundation Apprenticeship Product Specification.
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Documents and links
These are useful documents and links to guide you in activating your contract: