FOUNDATION APPRENTICESHIP BUSINESS SKILLS (ONE YEAR)

Intro to the course:

The One Year Foundation Apprenticeship (FA) in Business Skills is offered in S5 and S6. If you have a strong desire to develop a career in business, you can enhance your school studies with an industry, College and University recognised qualification. It is delivered over one year and you will spend time in college developing skills and knowledge across a range of topics and on placement getting hands-on experience with an employer.

Modern businesses require leaders, managers and administrators in their management team to provide strategic, tactical and operational services. Budding managers and administrators have a highly transferable set of knowledge, skills and behaviours that can be applied in all sectors. This includes small and large businesses alike: from the public sector, private sector and charitable sector. This apprenticeship programme is properly “grounded” in the highly respected profession of Business Administration, whilst giving you the opportunity to appreciate and understand other management and business priorities. 

Business Administrators will advance key skills and behaviours to support their progression towards management positions. You'll have the unique opportunity to develop skills and knowledge across a range of business topics in a classroom, alongside a valuable work placement with an employer. The course has been designed to address the skills gaps in business administration and will provide a route into employment and/or progression to further learning. 

On successful completion of the FA, you will achieve a Joint Qualification Certificate for the Foundation Apprenticeship in Business Skills. This is a group award at SCQF Level 6, equivalent to a Higher and recognised by Colleges and Universities. 

Who is the course for?

If you're staying on at school, you can apply for a Foundation Apprenticeship. You can use the Skills Development Scotland (SDS) link below to find out if this subject is available at your school. Then just fill out the form to let them know you're interested, and SDS will get back to you with more information. https://www.apprenticeships.scot/browse-frameworks/foundation-apprenticeships/business-skills/individual-business-skills

What will I study?

You’ll gain a Foundation Apprenticeship in Business Skills, which is the same level of learning as an SQA Higher (SCQF level 6). This includes: A National Progression Award (NPA) in Business Skills at SCQF level 6  and core units of an SVQ in Business and Administration at SCQF level 6

National Progression Award in Business Skills at SCQF Level 6 

• Understanding Business 
• Management of People and Finance 
• Working with IT Software: PC Passport  Word Processing and Presenting Information 
• Working with IT Software: PC Passport Spreadsheet and Database 
• Contemporary Business Issues 

Units from the SVQ in Business and Administration at SCQF Level 6 

• Plan, manage and improve your own performance in a business environment 
• Communicate in a business environment 
• Support other people to work in a business environment 
• Design and produce documents in a business environment 
• Work Based Challenge Unit

Next step course options

Your Foundation Apprenticeship gives you lots of options. It’s up to you where you go next. A Modern Apprenticeship: On completing your Foundation Apprenticeship, you’ll have achieved core units of the Modern Apprenticeship in Business Administration. 

Further Education: Continue your studies at college, with an SVQ 4 in Business & Administration or another cross-sector area such as Management, business related HNCs and HNDs. Your workplace experience will support your college application.

University: Foundation Apprenticeships are recognised as equivalent to SQA Highers by all Scottish universities. You’ll already have quality experience in the industry – this will make your UCAS stand out from the crowd. This apprenticeship also provides you with 42 UCAS tariff points. Find out more about points on the UCAS website.

How will I be assessed?

Delivery and assessment of the relevant National Progression Award (NPA) occurs at the start of the programme using secure SQA coursework and assessment materials. The work-based challenge unit is designed to support the contextualisation of the NPA, and is therefore a complementary unit that runs concurrent with the NPA.

The work-based learning element offers access to the workplace, either physically onsite or through remote working where real work activity will be aligned to the organisations objectives and will support the development of evidence for assessment against the outcomes.

Why should I choose this course?

You'll complete your Foundation Apprenticeship alongside your other school subjects. You'll spend time working on projects supported by a learning provider, like a college, as well as an employer. It'll give you an industry recognised qualification which will look great on your CV. The Foundation Apprenticeship is rooted in the highly respected profession of business administration. And, you’ll get the opportunity to learn about other management and business priorities, such as: digital marketing, procurement, supply chain management and enterprise.

Where can this course lead?

As a business administrator or budding manager, you’ll have a highly transferable set of knowledge and skills that can be applied in all sectors. A qualification in Business Skills could lead to jobs like: 

• Administrative assistant 
• Purchasing manager 
• Management consultant 
• Company secretary 
• Human resources officer 
• Local government officer 
• Receptionist 
• Project manager 

The Foundation Apprenticeship is rooted in the highly respected profession of business administration. And, you’ll get the opportunity to learn about other management and business priorities, such as: digital marketing, procurement, supply chain management and enterprise.

What are the entry requirements?

Students entering S5 or S6 ready to work at SCQF level 6. You need to be working towards at least one Higher and on track to achieve 4 National 5 qualifications (preferably to include a business subject) and have: 

• Communication and team working skills 
• Good attention to detail motivation to succeed 

You'll be assessed on positive behaviour and a school attendance report.

What are the interview arrangements?

Any offer will be based on your application and a recommendation from your school. 

Fees, finance and funding:

Fees and finances for part time:

Find out more about Individual Training Accounts (ITA): https://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/learn-and-train/sds-individual-training-accounts-ita

Find out more about Part-Time Fee Grants (PFGs): https://www.saas.gov.uk/part-time

Other information:

Course Duration 1 year: (August - June) Tuesday and Thursday - 9.30 am - 4 pm