Project Description

Fife College

Partner Spotlight

DYW Fife work closely with the Fife community and local organisations to form key partnerships to support young people in Fife.

To celebrate our partners we will be showcasing a ‘Partner Spotlight’ each week, for the next month, to educate about how we work together and the different types of projects each partnership brings.

This week, we hear from Denise Yates, Fife College’s Foundation Apprenticeship Coordinator.

Can you please explain the background and core objectives of the Foundation Apprenticeship Programme at Fife College?

Foundation Apprenticeships are a vocational qualification that provides young people with the opportunity to develop new knowledge and skills in a classroom/workshop environment whilst also experiencing work-based learning in a local business or organisation.

There are 10 Foundation Apprenticeship frameworks available to choose from in Fife at SCQF level 6 (equivalent to a higher) and these are recognised by all colleges and universities in Scotland, giving direct entry to some college courses or being counted as a higher towards entry requirements for college and university.  At Fife College we deliver 8 of these frameworks as listed below:

  • Accounting
  • Business Skills
  • Civil Engineering
  • Creative and Digital Media
  • Engineering
  • Food & Drink Technologies
  • IT: Hardware
  • IT: Software
  • Scientific Technologies

Our colleagues at Fife Council deliver:

  • Social Services Children & Young People
  • Social Services Healthcare
  • Financial Services

All frameworks at SCQF Level 6 are offered to school pupils in S5 & S6 over a 2- or 1-year period depending on framework.  Foundation Apprenticeships offer a fantastic opportunity to experience learning in a college environment as well as gain industry recognised qualifications with employers in sectors that have been forecast as having future growth.

Fife College also offer 4 Foundation Apprenticeship frameworks at SCQF Levels 4 & 5 giving pupils from S4-S6 the opportunity to work towards work-based skills units and engage with employers.  The SCQF Levels 4 and 5 Foundation Apprenticeship frameworks are:

  • Automotive Level 4
  • Construction Level 4
  • Hospitality Level 4 & 5

How does DYW Fife support your objectives? 

Fife College works closely with DYW to support the opportunities for all of our young people, we work closely with the team and have an excellent relationship with Amanda Liddell meeting regularly to discuss opportunities and upcoming events.

The coffee, cake and chat events for employers and Learning providers have been very beneficial for the school college partnership team as we look to build our portfolio of employers and its good to feedback to our curriculum what employers are looking for and areas that we as a college can look to develop into our programmes.

 Why should other organisations become involved with DYW Fife? 

Amanda and the DYW team have a passion for helping the next generation of talent by offering opportunities for young people that they will be able to draw experiences from in years to come.  Their knowledge of the frameworks we offer and the ways that employers can contribute to the future of our school pupils not just with work placement but career talks, site visits, vocational projects allows our pupils to expand their knowledge in their chosen industry.

As we look to shape the future of our young people, DYW is a fantastic platform to make contacts, establish relationships and start our young people on their journey.

 Please tell us four words you would use to describe the benefits of being a DYW Fife Partner

Providing     Practical    Inspiring     Opportunities