Foundation Apprenticeship in IT Software

FOUNDATION APPRENTICESHIPS IN ICT AND DIGITAL Foundation Apprenticeship in IT Software At: City of Glasgow College & Glasgow Clyde College Information Pack APPRENTICESHIPS.SCOT/FOUNDATION

Foundation Apprenticeship in IT Software Foundation Apprenticeships are a blended learning approach combining a workbased qualification with academic learning and industry involvement. The three Glasgow colleges Glasgow Kelvin College, City of Glasgow College and Glasgow Clyde College are offering a regional programme of Foundation Apprenticeships Starting in S5, the Foundation Apprenticeship in IT Software at City of Glasgow College and Glasgow Clyde College takes two years to complete. Pupils spend part of the week out of school at the college doing hands-on learning. They'll also undertake high quality work experience with employers and at the end they'll receive an industry-recognised qualification. Why a Foundation Apprenticeship? Unemployment rates in Scotland are significantly higher for young people compared with adults. To change this, we need to support pupils to build the skills they ll need to be successful when they leave school. Closing the gap between the classroom and the workplace By giving young people earlier exposure to the world of work, we are helping them develop the skills, experience and knowledge they will need. For young people it is the chance to get a head start on their careers by gaining an industryrecognised qualification, work on real projects and broaden their career options for the future. Foundation Apprenticeships have been developed in partnership with local authorities, schools, colleges and industry to create better links between education and local employers. By providing more flexibility in the senior phase of secondary education, Foundation Apprenticeships support more young people to achieve their full potential. They are getting earlier exposure to the world of work which will result in improved prospects of employment. Introducing industry and employers to young people while they are still at school could also help address gender imbalance across occupations. For employers it can be an excellent way to recruit and secure the future workforce.

Help young people to get ahead Sometimes, getting started in a career can seem like an impossible task. Young people need experience to find a job, but they need a job to gain experience. That s where a Foundation Apprenticeship can help. Practical experience, and a real qualification Foundation Apprenticeships give young people hands-on learning and practical experience of the world of work. In the classroom they cover the theory behind each role then they ll get the opportunity to put it into practice in the workplace. The hands-on experience will lead to an industry-recognised qualification, set at SCQF Level 6 (the same level of learning as a Higher) and based on existing industry-recognised qualifications including Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) and National Certificates (NCs). Accelerated entry onto a Modern Apprenticeship Foundation Apprenticeships provide the foundation elements of a Modern Apprenticeship. If a young person goes on to a Modern Apprenticeship they won't have to repeat the parts they completed at school, reducing the time it takes to complete the training. Why IT Software? It is an exciting time for any young person wishing to explore a career in the world of IT. Globally, the IT and digital technologies sector is booming with more than 100,000 job per year. The Scottish IT sector, which includes software development, telecoms and ICT services, accounts for 3% of the Scottish economy with more than 73,000 ICT and digital technology professionals working directly in IT and in digital technology roles in businesses across Scotland. IT and digital technologies are seen as an enabler for business growth, exciting opportunities can be found in sectors such as; Financial Services, Life Sciences and Health and Creative and Cultural industries. In the Glasgow region, the IT and digital technologies sector currently employs 13,400 people. The combination of subjects at National 3, 4, 5 and Higher currently being delivered across the Glasgow school region and the subjects being delivered by the Glasgow regional colleges

means Glasgow is well placed to ensure young people across the Glasgow region are able to develop the necessary knowledge and gain the practical skills required to meet the demands of the IT and digital technologies sector. The Foundation Apprenticeships in IT Software and Hardware provide young people with a platform to access a career in the sector. Duration The Foundation Apprenticeship in IT Software runs for two years, throughout 5 th and 6 th year of school. The delivery of the framework model will be a blended approach with the delivery of knowledge undertaken in college in S5 and employer placement delivered and assessed in the workplace in S6. Pupils will have to attend college and their work placement during prelim and exam leave. In Year 1 (5 th year) pupils attend: college two half days per week or one full day their school for the other four days In Year 2 (6 th year) pupils attend: college plus work placement for one full day and one half day per week their school three and a half days per week Who can apply? The Foundation Apprenticeship is open to pupils in 5 th Year of school in August 2016. What are the Entry Requirements? The Foundation Apprenticeship is open to pupils in 5 th Year of school in August 2016. What are the Entry Requirements? Pupils entering S5 with a strong desire to work within the IT Industry Previous record of achievement at National 5 (A-C) or Intermediate 2 (A-C) Pupils undertaking Higher subjects, ideally working to achieve Higher qualifications in English, Computing and numerical based subjects such Maths, Accounting and Economics

Course Content and Qualifications The Foundation Apprenticeship in IT Software covers the following topics: Computing: Applications Development Computing: Authoring a Website Software Design and Development Qualification: NPA in Software Development (SCQF level 6) Information for Pupils Here are some of the progression routes available to you when you successfully complete the course: Employment in IT Software OR Modern Apprenticeship in IT Software. Successfully completing the Foundation Apprenticeship is equivalent to the first year of an apprenticeship and may allow you to access straight onto the second year of an apprenticeship. HNC/D Information Technology/Technologies for Business HNC/D Web Development HNC Computing HND Computing: Software Development HND Computing: Technical Support HNC Computer Games Development What job could I do in future? As well as the possibility of progressing to a further apprenticeship or studies, you could work as: Junior Software Developer Junior Systems Analyst How do I get to and from college? This depends on your school, your local authority and your chosen Foundation Apprenticeship. If you have to organise your own transport to and from college, it is very easy to reach by road or public transport.

IT Hardware Foundation Apprenticeship classes are held at City of Glasgow College - City Campus and Glasgow Clyde College Cardonald Campus Travel to and from each campus:- City of Glasgow College City Campus is located on Cathedral Street and is a 5 minute walk from Queen Street train station and Buchanan Street underground. Glasgow Clyde College's Cardonald Campus is located in the south west of Glasgow and lies between Mosspark Drive and Corkerhill Road, which can both be accessed via Paisley Road West. The M77 and M8 motorways and the Clyde Tunnel are easily accessible from the Campus. Corkerhill Train Station is just 5 mins from campus Bus stops can be found on Corkerhill Road about 150 metres from the campus and on Paisley Road West, less than a 10 minute walk away. Will the Foundation Apprenticeship affect my Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)? If you qualify for an EMA then participation in the Foundation Apprenticeship will not affect your EMA. What facilities do the colleges offer Foundation Apprenticeship students? As a Foundation Apprenticeship student, you will be a fully enrolled student of City Glasgow College or Glasgow Clyde College and can enjoy access to all the same services as the rest of the student community. You will have access to the Advice and Guidance team, Learner Support Services and the Library facilities and the Virtual Learning Environment. When you attend college, you also have access to the student canteen, coffee bar for lunches, snacks and vending facilities. Equality and Diversity The recruitment process will ensure that no-one is denied opportunities because of their race or ethnicity, their disability, their gender or sexual orientation, their age or religion and that any barriers (real or perceived) are addressed to support all pupils.

How to apply To apply for the Foundation Apprenticeship in IT Software you should complete an application form via your school. Your application must be submitted by your school. Information sessions will be taking place in the college at the end of April when pupils, teachers and parents will have the opportunity to hear more about the programme, ask questions and see the college facilities. Interviews will also take place with pupils and for some programmes there may be a relevant aptitude test. For more information you can email us at: foundation@glasgowkelvin.ac.uk