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What is an Apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships allow you to combine work and study by mixing on-the-job training with classroom learning. By the end of your apprenticeship, you'll have gained the skills and knowledge needed to either succeed in your chosen career or progress onto the next apprenticeship level.
The three types of apprenticeships are as follows:Foundation Apprenticeship – available to students in 4th, 5th or 6th year at school, these are designed to be studied alongside other school subjects, giving young people a head start in their career before they leave school. Completion of this allows students to complete an MA in less time as some of the essential units have already been covered
Modern Apprenticeship – available to those working a minimum of 16 hours per week in a relevant industry. Modern Apprenticeships give you the opportunity to get a job, get paid and get qualified. Whether you’re thinking about the future, job hunting, or want to learn new skills, a Modern Apprenticeship could be for you
Graduate Apprenticeship – available to those in work looking to gain industry recognised qualifications at degree level
Apprenticeships have created an equal, yet different pathway to graduate success. There is a huge range of benefits to choosing the vocational route!
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Hands on work experience
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Earn while you learn
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Gain qualifications equivalent in level to traditional qualifications
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Interact with employers in your chosen field
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Study right up to degree level
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Range of subject areas
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Get a head start in your chosen career
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Work and learn at the same time
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Foundation Apprenticeships
A Foundation Apprenticeship helps to bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace, giving you experience of the world of work from an early age - helping to boost your CV and give you a head start in your career!
These two year programmes allow you to complete elements of a Modern Apprenticeship alongside your other subjects in 4th, 5th or 6th year at school; preparing you to progress onto a Modern Apprenticeship, university or employment on leaving school
Whilst completing your Foundation Apprenticeship, you will spend time at school, at college and with an employer getting hands on work experience
We offer Foundation Apprenticeships in nine different subject areas. The areas on offer are:
Social Services (Children and Young People)
Social Services and Healthcare
IT: Software Development
Business Skills
Civil Engineering
Engineering
Scientific Technologies
Creative Industries
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Modern & Graduate Level Apprenticeships
If you want to find out more about Modern or Graduate Level Apprenticeships and the opportunities available across Scotland, check out the Scottish Apprenticeship website
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Hear from our current Foundation and Modern Apprentices
Interested to hear how our current students are finding their courses? Take a look at our Apprenticeship case studies to read some of their stories
The College environment gives you much more independence as you have your own pace to work at and you are given more responsibilities for your own learning which sets you up well for the working environment
Chloe Valentine, Foundation Apprentice - Social Services & Healthcare
The combination of studying and working makes it varied and motivating
Aaron McKay, Modern Apprentice - West Lothian College
The highlight for me has definitely been my work placements. I really enjoy being in a working environment and getting the hands on experience
Conor Jackson, Foundation Apprentice - Civil Engineering
My favourite part about coming to the College has been that I have been able to make new friends from different schools. I decided to apply for this course as I want to become a paramedic.
Tammy-Gail Milne, Foundation Apprentice - Social Services & Healthcare
I am really enjoying my course and find it very interesting. The lecturers and staff at the College are all very helpful and approachable
Jordan Callan, Foundation Apprentice - Civil Engineering
The course is challenging but the lecturers are good and help you with the difficult subjects. When I finish my Foundation Apprenticeship I plan to progress to a Modern Apprenticeship, and maybe then a Graduate Level Apprenticeship
Hannah Cockburn, Foundation Apprentice - Civil Engineering
I am really glad I chose to do this course at West Lothian College as I want to be a Civil Engineer and this course is giving me the opportunity to learn the practical skills that we aren’t taught at school
Sandy McDonald, Foundation Apprentice - Civil Engineering
My favourite part of the course is learning new skills and getting to do practical things that I really want to take part in.
Sean Clarkson, Foundation Apprentice - Engineering
I want to be an engineer when I’m older and I like that the course gives me the opportunity to learn the practical skills to help me get a job in this industry
Ben McKay, Foundation Apprentice - Engineering
Next year I’m going to Abertay University to do Game Development. I really love my course because I feel the subject and being at College is preparing me for life at University
Callum Ronney, Foundation Apprentice - IT Software Development
I am really enjoying my course and life at College because I like that my lecturers treat me like an adult
Sean Conroy, Foundation Apprentice - IT Software Development
Placement has been great for me. I enjoy learning on the go. As you are in real life situations and every day is different, we’re always finding out new information about how to deal with different scenarios.
Stacey Stewart, Foundation Apprentice - Social Services & Healthcare
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Are you an employer looking to find out about Apprenticeships?
If so, we can help! Whether you are looking to find out how to support your current employees through apprenticeships, are looking to take on an apprentice or want to provide industry advice or placements to our Foundation Apprentices we would love to hear from you. You can find out more about what we do and how to get in touch on our business hub page.