FOUNDATION APPRENTICESHIP IN FINANCIAL SERVICES (TWO YEARS)

Intro to the course:

The financial services sector remains one of the most important industries in Scotland and the rest of the UK.  The sector directly employs 85,000 people in Scotland and a further 100,000 indirectly - around 7% of total Scottish employment.

The UK is widely recognised as a global leader in financial services,  Scotland's fibrant financial sector is an important contributor to this strong UK position, and also benefits from its global reputation.

The Foundation Apprenticeship (FA) in Financial Services is for pupils in S5 and S6 and typically takes 2 years to complete.  This Foundation Apprenticeship gives pupils an introduction to the skills that will help them move into a career in financial services.

In Year 1 pupils attend the college for two half-days per week.  In Year 2 pupils attend the college for 1 half-day per week and are in placements for 1 day per week.

The Financial Services framework includes three core elements, namely:

• National Progression Award in Financial Services
• Work Based Challenge Unit
• Work based Learning Units

Who is the course for?

The Foundation Apprenticeship (FA) in Financial Services is for pupils in S5 and S6 and typically takes 2 years to complete.  This Foundation Apprenticeship gives pupils an introduction to the skills that will help them move into a career in financial services.

What will I study?

The Foundation Apprenticeship in Financial Services includes:

• A National Progression Award (NPA) in Financial Services at SCQF level 6
• Three units of an SCQF Level 6 Providing Financial Services
• A substantial work placement

Example of course units include:

• NPA
  • -Financial services: an introduction
  • -Financial services: promoting positive customer relationships
• SCQF Level 6
  • -develop yourself to improve and maintain workplace competence in a financial services environment
  • -develop productive working relationships in a financial services environment

Next Step Course Options

Foundation Apprenticeships are directly aligned to three primary progression pathways.  These are:

• Modern Apprenticeship: a pupil completing the Foundation Apprenticeship in Financial Services will have a large proportion of the requirements for a Modern Apprenticeship in Providing Financial Services at SCQF level 6.
• Further Education: all Scottish Further Education colleges recognise the Foundation Apprenticeship in Financial Services as an eligible qualification towards a Higher National provision, alongside other qualifications.
• Higher Education: Scottish universities recognise the Foundation Apprenticeship in Providing Financial Services as an eligible qualification towards under-graduate degrees and graduate apprenticeship provision, alongside other qualifications.

Pupils that achieve this award will be eligible to apply for the HNC/D in Accounting with Financial services at this College.

They can also progress onto more advanced Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualifications.

How will I be assessed?

The delivery and assessment of the relevant NPA occurs at the start of the programme so that the underpinning knowledge can be obtained before contextualising within the work-based learning element.  The NPA element is assessed by SQA approved assessments which may include:

• extended response questions (some are open-book and some are under exam (closed-book) conditions
• a project based on job roles and career development opportunities including a presentation of their findings
• a case study
• scenario/role play

The Work Based Challenge Unit (WBCU)/Meta-skills element is assessed by an industry set project that will complement the learning outcomes within the NPA.

Pupils will undertake a work placement of approximately one day a week in S6 to help them build the evidence needed to complete the units from the SVQ.  The placement element will be developed throughout the programme to give pupils the best possible opportunity to develop competent practice.

Why should I choose this course?

Working in the Financial Services sector is a challenging and rewarding career.  The financial services industry has a long history of attracting energetic and ambitious people who are looking for the best career opportunities.  

The Foundation Apprenticeship in Financial Services will open up a pathway to a very exciting career with excellent progression opportunites for ambitious young people.

Where can this course lead?

Pupils  could apply for entry level employment in the financial services, administration and accounting sector.

What are the entry requirements?

The Foundation Apprenticeship in Financial Services is aimed at pupils with an interest and enthusiasm in exploring this area of work.  

Pupils should have a good level of maths and written and spoken English.

What are the interview arrangements?

Interviews will be arranged by the school and may involve the Course Leader of the programme, from the College.

Other information:

The Foundation Apprenticeship supports the commitment to provide relevant work-based vocational education and training as part of the senior phase curriculum.  This will prepare young people for direct entry into a career in the financial sector by equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to work effectively from day one of employment.  This includes both the development of practical and technical skills alongside the development of learner meta-skills, supported via project-based learning,  It also highlights meaningful vocational pathways as a challenging and valuable alternative to existing academic subjects. 

Foundation Apprenticeships are delivered by partnerships comprised of school, learning provider and employer.

Employers are an essential part of the partnership and can contribute in a range of ways, from creating a workplace challenge, to coaching and mentoring, to interviewing and selection.  They may also be involved in the assessment of the work-based learning element.