Forth Valley College urge firms to take on modern apprentice

Forth Valley College started additional pre-apprenticeship programmes in both construction and engineering in September in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, in order to help firms to be able to continue developing their workforce at such a critical time.

And now they are encouraging construction and engineering companies interested in taking on a MA to tap into the reserve of students currently studying the full-time pre-apprenticeship courses at Forth Valley College.

The Pre-App course allows employers who would normally take on Modern Apprentices in August/September to delay their recruitment and be able to recruit for these pool of candidates when their businesses are able to do so.

The Construction programme is an 18 week programme on the foundations of construction skills required for the workplace. The Engineering programme runs from September to June and candidates will receive their NC in either electrical, mechanical or instrumentation and control, as well as some practical units in the workshop.

These courses allow all candidates to get ‘apprenticeship ready’ and means the employer can recruit from a pool of learners who have been preparing for work and are ready to progress to an apprenticeship.

The College has a 100% achievement rate of Pre-App graduates securing MA employment during the last few years and will have 72 eager Pre-App candidates looking for employers to take them over the next six months.

They are now looking for engineering and construction companies to commit to taking on an apprentice.

The Modern Apprenticeship (MA) is designed to support businesses, by allowing people to ‘earn while they learn’ and attain industry recognised qualifications at the same time.

MAs get the skills they need through a combination of on the job training and college study, to achieve this industry recognised qualification.

And some or all of the training will be funded by the Scottish Government and administered by Skills Development Scotland.

If your business is considering taking on an MA and would be interested in hearing more about the Pre-App candidates, please contact the Business Development Team on [email protected] to find out more.

The expert lecturing staff and excellent facilities at Forth Valley College help to tailor training specifically to each employer and they pride themselves on close professional links with each industry.

The recently completed state-of-the-art Falkirk Campus – and its multi-zone workshop environment - offers engineering and construction MAs access to high standards of teaching expertise and the ultimate experience in training.

Construction workshops are available at all three of campuses in Alloa, Falkirk and Stirling and experienced staff are second to none in the Scottish industry with MA joiners, plumbers and painters and decorators enhancing their trade skills at FVC.

MAs will attend the College either on agreed blocks or day release to learn, as well as being based in their employer’s place of work. Time spent at College can vary depending on the apprenticeship and programmes, which typically last between one and four years.

Programmes cater for male and female students of all ages – although it’s worth bearing in mind funding may only be available for certain age groups. Some companies may also have specific entry requirements and applicants will need to undergo an interview before being accepted onto any of the programmes.

There are spaces available in several MA programmes, just visit www.forthvalley.ac.uk/develop_workforce to find out more