FOUNDATION APPRENTICESHIP CREATIVE AND DIGITAL MEDIA (TWO YEARS)

Intro to the course:

Starting in S5 this two year Foundation Apprenticeship in Creative Digital Media presents an opportunity for senior phase students to undertake industry specific qualifications and blend an academic qualification with work based learning. So, if you like the idea of combining creative thinking with technical skills, design and storytelling, then a career in creative and digital media may be the right career choice for you. The FA is delivered over two years and you will spend part of the week at College developing skills and knowledge across a range of topics and getting hands-on experience on placement with an employer.

A career in the creative industries section could include roles within interactive media, TV, radio, computer gaming, publishing, film, animation and online media. Over 97000 people work in Scotland's creative industries and with such a wide variety of jobs to choose from, skilled people are always in demand. Developments in technology mean, as a new entrant to this sector, you must be multi-skilled and able to work over a variety of platforms. 

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.

Apprenticeships | Foundation Creative and Digital Media

What will I study?

You’ll gain a Foundation Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media, which is the same level of learning as an SQA Higher (SCQF level 6). This includes: a National Progression Award (NPA) in Creative and Digital Media at SCQF level 6,  core units of a Diploma in Creative Digital Media at SCQF level 7 and a media project unit at SCQF level 6.

 As part of your National Progression Award, your topics will include: 

• creative industries - an introduction – Scotland 
• creative industries - understanding a creative brief 
• media -  understanding the creative process 
• storytelling for the creative industries 

For your Diploma units, you’ll be assessed as part of your work placement. You’ll learn how to: 

• work effectively with others in the creative industries 
• ensure your own actions reduce risks to health and safety 
• communicate using digital marketing and sales channels 
• use digital and social media in marketing campaigns 

Your Foundation Apprenticeship will also help you to develop core skills valued by employers, particularly communication, problem solving, working with others, time management.  These transferable skills are necessary and highly desirable for working in a range of jobs.

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 already achieved core units of the Modern Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media. You’ll have the right skills and experience to choose to progress to a related Modern Apprenticeship, such as Creative and Cultural or Digital Applications. 

Further Education: continue your studies at college to a Level 6, HNC or HND in a creative or digital subject or HNC or HND Photography or Visual Communication. Your workplace experience will support your college application.  Entry will be at the discretion of the course team and will depend on other subjects achieved. 

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 NPA and work-based professional units occurs at the start of the programme so that the underpinning knowledge can be obtained before contextualising within the work-based learning element. The work-based challenge unit is designed to support the contextualisation of the National Progression Award, and therefore should be seen as a complementary unit to run concurrent with the NPA. 

The work-based learning element is designed to offer the learning access to the workplace, either physically onsite or through remote working. Host employers will provide the work placement opportunity. Employers are asked to provide real work activity aligned to the organisations objectives and to support the development of evidence for assessment against the outcomes. Involvement of industry is encouraged across the entire programme of learning. 

This approach maximises the contextualisation for the learner and offers the opportunity to put into practice underpinning learning. Learners may achieve the Foundation Apprenticeship via a blend of SVQ or customised units.

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 the college as well as an employer. It'll give you an industry recognised qualification which will look great on your CV. Creative Digital Media (CDM) encompasses the range of creative roles where interactive media storytelling and commerce collide. The utilisation of creative digital content to enable either a product of another service such as marketing, advertising or information gathering, offers a vast array of job roles ranging from pure creative to more technical and data-driven responsibilities. More importantly, this growing sector needs people!

One third of tech companies cite talent shortages as an inhibiter to expansion and there are significant opportunities for young creative people whose interest in digital media extends beyond consuming content and into creating it and getting it out to audiences.

Where can this course lead?

Use your qualification and work experience to find a job in the creative industries. There’s a career for you in Scotland’s thriving creative industry – whatever your interests. 

It’s one of Scotland’s most diverse sectors, covering architecture, TV, radio, film, fashion and textiles, cultural heritage, design, journalism, publishing, music, visual arts, gaming and more. With additional studying and qualifications, you could do roles such as broadcast journalist, TV or film producer, lighting technician, actor, fashion designer, graphic designer, photographer

What are the entry requirements?

You must be in S5 and be capable of working at Higher grade SCQF level 6. You should be on track to achieve: -

• Higher English, Higher IT, Higher Maths or related area 
•  four National 5 qualifications 

You should also be motivated to succeed and have: 

• good communication and team working skills 
• good attention to detail 
• a strong desire to in the media industry 
• a positive behaviour and attendance report from school

What are the interview arrangements?

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

Other information:

August - June 

Year 1: NPA: Tuesday/Thursday 1.30 pm - 4.00 pm 

Your first year will  in College developing skills and knowledge across a range of topics in preparation for the work experience and placement with an employer.  There will be some engagement with employers and industry experts.

Year 2:  Work placement Tuesday 1.30 pm - 4.00 pm, all day Thursday. 

Sept-Oct:  You will be in College.  From October you will spend each Thursday on work placement carrying out  tasks and completing a project with a employer.  Tuesdays will be in College.