Hosting a Business Skills Foundation Apprentice
As an employer hosting an FA, you can help students develop skills and knowledge for a business career.
The Foundation Apprenticeship (FA) in Business Skills allows pupils in S5 and S6 (ages 16-18) to gain a practical understanding of management and business priorities. The qualification is at SCQF Level 6 (equivalent to Higher) and includes:
- An NPA in Business Skills at SCQF Level 6
- Core units from an SVQ in Business and Administration at SCQF Level 6
- A work based challenge unit
College & workplace learning
College learning
The pupil will attend NESCol to study the theory required to complete their National Progression Award (NPA).
The NPA is delivered over one academic year.
Pupils will attend College for two half-days a week, on Monday and Wednesday afternoons.
The topics covered in the NPA studied at NESCol are:
- Understanding Business
- Management of People and Finance
- Contemporary Business Issues
- Web Apps: Spreadsheets
- Web Apps: Word Processing
97%
of schools-college students would recommend NESCol¹
Workplace learning
Pupils will complete the Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) and work based challenge units as part of their work placement.
The placement is designed to provide pupils with genuine work experience so they should be taking on real tasks that reflect your company’s day-to-day operations.
Placements typically start after the October holidays and run until spring break, but these can be flexible to meet the needs of the employer.
Pupils usually attend placement one full day or two half-days a week, depending on their school timetable and your organisation.
Employers should provide opportunities for the student to complete the following SVQ units:
- Develop Self and Improve Own Performance in a Business Environment
- Communicate in a Business Environment
- Design and Produce Documents in a Business Environment
- Collaborate and Provide Support in a Business Environment
The work based challenge project builds on the NPA learning outcomes. Employers will be asked to work with the College and student to identify a suitable project that complements these.
Pupils achieve their units by demonstrating competency in general administrative tasks, which is assessed by a Work Based Assessor.
Students are required to complete tasks that support the aims and objectives of the organisation.
Examples of tasks include:
- Creating documents such as information leaflets, codes of practice, customer guides or posters
- Presenting to colleagues on how to use SharePoint or other organisational procedures that are new to staff
- Presenting to external stakeholders, e.g. attending a careers fair, exhibition or meeting
- Creating documents using Word, Excel, Canva, PowerPoint or other similar software
- Organising work areas including stock cupboards
- Creating a stock inventory for monitoring purposes
- Front reception duties and dealing with customer enquiries
- Phone tasks including checking voice mails and extracting important information
Progression
After completing their FA , the pupil can move on to:
- A Modern Apprenticeship
- A Graduate Apprenticeship
- Further study at college or university
- Employment
Previous employers have been so impressed with their apprentice, that they’ve hired them in a full-time role or as a Modern or Graduate Apprentice.
Support
Mentor
The pupil is assigned a mentor from your organisation.
Work Based Assessor
The mentor and the pupil will be supported by a Work Based Assessor at NESCol, to ensure all course criteria can be met. They will also be on hand to help with any course queries.
The Work Based Assessor will arrange at least two visits to the placement with the mentor in advance, to undertake observations.
FA Project Officer
A NESCol FA Project Officer is available for the duration of the placement as a point of contact if required.
Flexibility
The days and times for work placement are agreed prior to the start of the FA. An initial introduction with be arranged by the FA Project Officer so the mentor, staff and student can meet and discuss key details.
Placement match
Where possible, we’ll match students with their placement provider so that their work experience is in an area of interest or an industry where they have ambitions to work.
Resources
Full breakdown of the Foundation Apprenticeship
Practical examples of placement activities
SCQF qualification levels explained
Progression pathways
Contact us
The team at NESCol are also on hand for any further questions: foundationapprenticeships@nescol.ac.uk
¹ Source: NESCol Student Satisfaction & Engagement Survey AY 2024/25