Engineering
Foundation Apprenticeship
What's Engineering like?
Engineers bring ideas to life. They design, create, test and improve all sorts of products and processes. From James Watt’s steam engine to Andy Scott’s Kelpies, Scotland is great at engineering.
At the start of your engineering career, you can expect to earn around £30,000 per year. As you gain experience, your salary can rise to £70,000*. There are currently 9000 engineers working in Scotland.
This is a great time to start your engineering career as there's a huge demand for new talent. UK companies are actively looking to employ people with engineering skills.
It’s an industry offering careers in range of sectors including space, aviation, transport, medicine, technology and fashion. You could work in roles such as:
aerospace engineer
chemical engineer
electrical engineer
mechanical engineer
naval architect
You will not always be sitting at a desk. It's possible that you could be working in a laboratory, at sea, underground or a recording studio.
If you want to build a career in engineering, this Foundation Apprenticeship is for you. It's a unique opportunity to gain real workplace knowledge and experience. You will also get an industry-recognised qualification.
(*Salary ranges from National Careers Service)
You’ll gain a Foundation Apprenticeship in Engineering. This is the same level of learning as an SQA Higher, which is SCQF Level 6.
SCQF qualification levels explained
Your qualification includes:
a National Certificate (NC) in an Engineering Discipline at SCQF Level 6, such as: Engineering Systems, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering
core units of an SVQ in Performing Engineering Operations at SCQF Level 5
work placement experience or an industry challenge
The topics you learn as part of your National Certificate will depend on the area of engineering you choose to study. These include:
Engineering Systems
Mechanical Engineering
Aeronautical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Fabrication and Welding Engineering
Manufacturing Engineering
Measurement and Control Engineering
To achieve your SVQ units, you’ll be assessed as part of your work placement. You’ll learn how to:
comply with statutory regulations and organisational safety requirements
use and interpret engineering data and documentation
work efficiently and effectively in engineering
Your Foundation Apprenticeship will also help you to develop core skills valued by employers, particularly:
communication
problem-solving
working with others
time management
Your Foundation Apprenticeship gives you lots of options: it’s up to you where you go next.
Good to know
You could progress to jobs within engineering and related industries
Average salaries range from around £30,000 to £70,000 per year
The qualification is equal to an SQA Higher (SCQF Level 6)
Entry requirements
If you're staying on at school, you can apply for a Foundation Apprenticeship.
How does it work?
You'll do the Foundation Apprenticeship alongside your other school subjects. You'll work on projects with an employer and a learning provider, such as a college. It'll give you an industry-recognised qualification that's great for your CV.
Read our brilliant info on the Engineering Foundation Apprenticeship to see how it all works!
How long will it take?
You'll do your Foundation Apprenticeship over 1 or 2 years starting in S5 or S6. You'll usually do a work placement of about 1 day a week.
How to apply
If you're staying on at school, you can apply for a Foundation Apprenticeship.
Use the search tool to find out if this subject is available at your school. Then fill out the form that comes next, to let us know you're interested. We'll get back to you with more information.