SQA supports Scottish apprentices

Apprenticeships - Image credit: SQA

Associate feature on behalf of the SQA

Once again, the Scottish Qualifications Authority is lending its support to Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2017.

More important, however, is the support we continue to offer every young person who embarks upon a Modern Apprenticeship, throughout the year, every year.

Modern Apprenticeships are an essential part of Scotland’s education and training landscape, and our qualifications, specifically our Scottish Vocational Qualifications, are an integral part of the vast majority of Modern Apprenticeships.

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These well respected vocational qualifications are designed to meet the national occupational standards outlined by a host of industries. This ensures that the skills young people develop during their apprenticeships meet the needs of employers.

Young people who complete a Modern Apprenticeship are work-ready, and able to accurately demonstrate the skills, knowledge and experience that they have developed during their training.

For five years we have delivered our own successful programme of Modern Apprenticeships, which incorporates valuable on-the-job training in a number or roles, with the opportunity to complete a Business and IT SVQ. Uniquely, our apprentices also work towards a Higher National Certificate in Business Administration as part of their training.

Our apprentices are equipped with practical, demonstrable knowledge, and skills that gives them the confidence to move on to the next stage in their development.

We also fully support exciting local initiatives such as the Pre-Apprenticeship programme delivered by Craigroyston Community High School in Edinburgh.

The school offers its senior pupils a year-long pre-apprenticeship where they complete a SVQ during timetabled class-time and complete tasks that promote responsibility and work-readiness, before going on to a guaranteed apprenticeship with a local employer.

The flexibility of our qualifications give real substance to Modern Apprenticeships, but allow for innovative delivery approaches that schools, colleges, and training providers can tailor to meet their own specific requirements.

We support Scottish Apprenticeship Week, and we will champion the outstanding efforts of the thousands of young people across the country using them to make a positive start to their careers.

You can find out more about how the SQA’s qualifications support Modern Apprenticeships at www.sqa.org.uk/apprenticeships

John McMorris is the director of business development at the SQA