Foundation Apprenticeship
A Foundation Apprenticeship (or FA as it is often
referred to as) is a vocational qualification that provides
the opportunity to develop new knowledge and skills
in the classroom whilst also experiencing work-based
learning in a local business or organisation.
The FA actually includes some elements of a
Modern Apprenticeship (MA) and enables you to
gain your FA qualification, work experience and
work-based learning as part of your timetable
whilst you are still at school!
There are currently up to 12 Foundation
Apprenticeships on offer in Fife covering:
Accountancy
Business Skills
Civil Engineering
Creative and Digital Media
Engineering
Financial Services
Food and Drink Technologies
Information Technology:
Hardware/System Support
Information Technology: Software Development
Scientific Technologies (Lab Skills)
Social Services and Healthcare
Social Services: Children and Young People
CASE STUDY
Kirsty Doyle - School
Studying Skills for Work: Energy
“I was always interested in girls working in
energy because from a young age I always
got the impression that only boys could do
engineering – so being able to do it with a
group of girls and even learn about women in
engineering was really interesting.
On a Thursday afternoon, I would attend
college instead of school which in itself was a
big change. Especially because you’re around
older people in the College and learning in
what seems to be a more mature environment.
At school, the engineering subjects tend to
be male-dominated and it can be hard to
concentrate in the school environment. It’s been
nice to come to college and study on campus.
When I was at college, it was a mix of practical
and theoretical work, again so different to
school. The assignments were based on things
like oil and gas, renewable energies, insulation
and soldering in the workshop – it was good
to have this mix of theory and practical. There
were also opportunities to go on class group
trips to meet people in the Engineering industry.
After completing this course, I’m planning to stay
on at school into 5th and 6th year. I’d really like to
do a Foundation Apprenticeship in Engineering.
My overall ambition is become a firefighter.”
Fife College Degree Guide 2021/22 | 13