Engineering is a challenging, exciting and rewarding career that presents a wealth of opportunities for Scotland’s young people to enter a diverse and often unique field of work including research, design and development and manufacturing. The sector continues to expand and grow and the Scottish Government recognises the sector as one of the key economic priority areas for investment. Sectors include:
The Foundation Apprenticeship (FA) in Engineering is for pupils in S5 and S6 and typically takes two years to complete. It provides opportunities to develop skills and knowledge for entry into a career in the Engineering sector.
The Engineering framework includes two core elements, namely:
The NC in Engineering at SCQF level 6 will prepare pupils with the practical skills and knowledge needed for access to higher-level study or to move into employment. It can also provide credit and progression to the Engineering Modern Apprenticeship.
This FA has been designed to provide a balance of relevant technological principles and practical applications suitable for participants that aspire to work at a technician level.
Everything you need to know about applying for this course.
This course is suited to school pupils who expect to continue at school until the end of S6 and who are on track to achieve passes in related National 5 awards in S4.
Applicants should be expecting to achieve an A or B pass in National 5 Maths and working towards Higher Maths in S5 or S6.
Pupils would benefit from studying Higher Physics during S5 or S6, although this is not essential.
You will be required to wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) clothing including a boiler suit, safety glasses and safety footwear, such as boots or shoes with steel toe caps. This will be provided for Foundation Apprentices.
For all construction and engineering courses, it is necessary to wear PPE. You are not allowed into the workshops without PPE and will be returned to school and marked absent if you arrive without it.
Whether you wish to progress in your studies or enter the world of work, North East Scotland College has excellent progression opportunities, with links to eight universities across Scotland and great relationships with industry employers.
Upon successful completion of this course, you could consider Modern Apprenticeship opportunities or may be able to progress to a full-time engineering course at North East Scotland College:
Foundation Apprenticeships are accepted as equivalent to at least one Higher by all Scottish Universities. Further qualifications may be required for University entry — applicants should check individual course entry requirements for further information.
Upon completion of a Foundation Apprenticeship, you may gain advanced entry onto an associated Modern Apprenticeship.
“I’m driven by feeling like I’m contributing to something important, and renewable energy is a growing and exciting sector to be involved in.”
“It’s a great industry to work in – there’s loads of pathways and opportunities. Engineering is about problem solving and teamwork and seeing how things work.”
“My time at NESCol, and the success I achieved, wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and support of the teaching staff. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to fulfil my aspirations of further education, combined with the unique experience and the incredible peers I met along the way.”
“I am more of a hands on sort of guy so the apprenticeship route worked for me.”
“The best thing for your career is to have the qualifications to reflect the knowledge you have.”
“From juggling working full time, being at College and still having quality time with my daughter, it was challenging at times. Despite how hectic it was it made the experience even more worthwhile for me and the whole process was highly rewarding. “
“My family were really supportive as it was quite challenging going back to College after a 12 year gap and I was also working shifts. It required a lot of dedication and commitment, but I got there!”
“Teaching was always something I was interested in but it was important to me to get industry experience first. I was delighted when the lecturing opportunity came up at NESCol and I am now really enjoying my time back at College but on the other side of the fence!”
“College has improved my confidence –the lecturers guide you allowing you to work independently so that you feel a sense of achievement when something works! The atmosphere is very positive, no matter what country you come from and what language you speak.”
“My experience in the power generation and LNG industries show how transferrable a qualification an HNC in Engineering can be.”
This course is only available to pupils in S4 to S6 across Aberdeenshire, giving pupils the opportunity to experience life as a College student whilst staying on at school.
Please note, applications for schools courses must be submitted by a member of school staff.
You can apply for a place on this course by completing an online application form, which you can access using the ‘Apply Online’ button. Once completed, this will be received by our Admissions Team who will then process your application.
Please note that courses are subject to minimum viability levels. In the event of insufficient numbers of applications, courses may be withdrawn from the programme. Certain courses are arranged with schools working in a consortium arrangement – in such cases, pupils from consortium schools will be given priority in the allocation of places.
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