Glasgow college region offers largest Foundation Apprenticeship programme to date

The Glasgow college region has strengthened its regional Foundation Apprenticeship programme, offering the largest number of work-based and college learning opportunities to date. Nearly 700 places have been made available across City of Glasgow College, Glasgow Clyde College and Glasgow Kelvin College, as part of an improved collaborative approach with 350 leading employers from across the Glasgow city region including Network Rail, Scottish Water, AXA and the Glasgow Science Centre.

Pupils can obtain valuable insight into the world of work and explore career opportunities in a wide range of industries, including financial services, healthcare, children and young people, business skills, engineering, IT and food and drink technologies.

The apprenticeships last one or two years and young people spend time out of school at college or with a local employer and complete the Foundation Apprenticeship alongside their other subjects.

17-year-old Francis Anameje attends St. Margaret Mary’s Secondary School in Castlemilk and is studying a Foundation Apprenticeship in software development at City of Glasgow College this year. Francis said: “College has been amazing so far. I decided to choose this apprenticeship because it gives me hands on experience plus a view of the world of work. I’m interested in cyber security, so software development is the way for me to push towards getting a cyber security degree at university.”

Shawlands Academy pupil, 16-year-old Keira Kabetu, is in the second year of studying a Foundation Apprenticeship in social services for children and young people at Glasgow Clyde College.

Keira said: “I like working with children and when I’m older I want to have a job in child psychology. It’s been a really good experience so far and I’ve enjoyed learning about cognitive and emotional development. I want to go to Glasgow Clyde College next year and then to university to study child psychology.”

Corie McSween, a sixth year pupil at Bishopbriggs Academy, will spend three days a week at Glasgow Kelvin College this year, completing a one-year civil engineering Foundation Apprenticeship. Corie said: “I’ve always been interested in engineering and when my Guidance Teacher at school spoke about the Foundation Apprenticeship, I was really keen to experience it and see what it would be like to be an engineer. I really like being on campus, getting to meet my fellow students and being involved in college life.”

Glasgow Colleges’ Regional Board and the Scottish Funding Council are investing in the region’s Foundation Apprenticeships programme to meet future skills needs and support the region’s economic recovery.  

Martin Boyle, Executive Director of Glasgow Colleges’ Regional Board, said: “Learners and employers across the Glasgow college region are benefitting from our enhanced integrated approach and we’re pleased to welcome our apprentices as they start and continue their work-based learning journey.

“Regional Foundation Apprenticeships offer students a wider range of learning and career opportunities while meeting regional skills needs, supporting employers’ needs and strengthening our region’s economic future.”  

Foundation Apprenticeships are supported by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and Skills Development Scotland (SDS). For more information and to apply for future opportunities visit http://www.fapglasgow.scot/.