Hosting a Creative & Digital Media Foundation Apprentice
As an employer hosting an FA, you can help students develop their skills for a career in Scotland’s creative industries.
The Foundation Apprenticeship (FA) in Creative & Digital Media allows pupils in S5 and S6 (ages 16-18) to gain strong vocational skills and produce great quality content. The qualification is at SCQF Level 6 (equivalent to Higher) and includes:
- An NPA in Creative and Digital Media: Technologies, Processes and Practices at SCQF Level 6
- Units from a Diploma in Creative Digital Media
- A media project
- A work placement
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 typically attend College for two half-days a week.
The topics covered in the NPA studied at NESCol are:
- Creative Industries: An Introduction – Scotland
- Creative Industries: Understanding a Creative Brief
- Media: Understanding the creative process
- Storytelling for the Creative Industries
97%
of schools-college students would recommend NESCol¹
Workplace learning
To achieve the core units from the Diploma in Creative Media, pupils will be assessed during their work placement. They will also work on an industry media project.
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 last four to five months, 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.
The work experience could also take the form of a client brief, with the student using College facilities and making regular visits to the employer to deliver progress updates.
The students are required to give two presentations in College about their project.
Employers should provide opportunities for the student to work on an industry media project, and complete the following Diploma units:
- Work Effectively with Others in the Creative Industries
- Ensure Responsibility for Actions to Reduce Risks to Health and Safety
- Use Digital and social media in Marketing Campaigns
- Record Audio and Video Material
- Edit Audio and Video Material
You should offer the student a creative role, working across one or many creative projects.
There are many tasks that will meet performance criteria, such as:
- Producing graphic design
- Creating podcasts
- Working on social media campaigns
- Developing and/or delivering a presentation
- Making short films, adverts or promotional material
- Designing in-house magazines or content
- Updating websites
- Photography
- Video editing
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 two visits to the placement with the mentor in advance.
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