MODERN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME
OVERVIEW
A Modern Apprenticeship (MA) Programme can be between 1 - 4 years long and is designed to equip individuals with practical skills and industry-specific knowledge, leading to recognised qualifications. Based on your organisation’s needs, the appropriate MA Framework is delivered using a combination of practical real life experience and theoretical knowledge. The MA Programme can be combined in some cases with a National or Higher National Certificate in a specified discipline. There are different SCQF Levels of MA Programme and the most appropriate depends on the degree of complexity and responsibility of the ‘Job Role’ the apprentice is working at or training towards.
TYPES OF APPRENTICESHIPS
Forth Valley College can help you identify the most appropriate training and development MA Programme route to best suit your company’s needs – it could be from access to our lecturers and full-time students and reskilling/ upskilling your existing workforce, to supporting recruitment of new apprentice positions.
DELIVERY MODELS
Depending on the MA Programme chosen, apprentices can attend college on a full-time or part-time basis, or attain their qualification in the workplace, with all delivery through assessment on the work site. FVC offers a huge range of MA Programmes, all of which are delivered by our industry appropriate qualified delivery teams.
FUNDING
Skills Development Scotland (SDS) provides funding to Forth Valley College to support apprenticeships, allowing individuals to undertake paid employment while receiving training for craft, technician, and management roles. This funding is subject to specific criteria, including the apprenticeship framework, apprentice’s age, level of study, and any previous SDS support. In certain cases, Forth Valley College may request an additional employer contribution—known as a “top-up fee”—to maintain high-quality learning and services. This fee may vary depending on the framework, study level, apprentice’s age, and the employer’s location, particularly where travel costs are involved.
An indicative table of top-up fees for all apprenticeship frameworks, levels, and age groups for the 2025/26 session (effective from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026) is attached. These figures offer employers a general idea of expected contributions when beginning a Modern Apprenticeship programme. However, final top-up fees will be confirmed once all necessary information is gathered for each proposed apprentice.
TOP UP FEES MA FRAMEWORK
* On Application, will be discussed upon request.
We also offer competitive rates for delivery on non-Skills Development Scotland (SDS) funded apprentices, and can provide a cost on enquiry.
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
There are various stages you and your MA will cover during their training and development as detailed below:
OVERVIEW
Establishing exactly what your requirements are is important for us, as these will structure everything else. We shall explore with you:
• Which MA frameworks are the most appropriate
• Which level they should be at
• Which programme delivery models suit you best
• What type of funding might be available
• Guidance on selection processes for your apprentices
Once your selection process is underway, we can provide additional guidance on appropriate SCQF Levels, suitability of possible enhancements to the MA Programme, and delivery models.
INITIAL REVIEW & TRAINING PLAN
During the induction, each new MA will be reviewed in terms of existing qualifications and experience, to establish suitability for one of the standard VQ plans and to determine whether any additional training will be required. The MA’s personal objectives are also noted for reference.
If the candidate is taking part in a programme which involves a National Certificate and HNC/HND, the initial meeting (if not taken place prior to this) also serves to help determine whether this is appropriate for the MA.
Based on the findings of the initial meetings, a specific ‘Initial Assessment’ and ‘Learning Plan’ is produced for each MA. This defines the roles and responsibilities of the MA and those involved in the programme delivery. This detailed plan is reviewed and updated on a regular basis and is amended where appropriate.
The training plan template can be found in Appendix 1.
REVIEWS AND UPDATESMA PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
Forth Valley College provides you with access to our Employer Portal which provides details of all your apprentices and allows you to check attendance and progress in real time.
As standard, the following aspects will be monitored for every apprentice as part of the performance review process, which takes place every 13 weeks:
• Progress against learning objectives set in their training plan
• Progress against vocational objectives as set in the VQ training portfolio
The review will be a three-way meeting between the College, apprentice and you, as employer. The reviews are an important opportunity to input on all aspects of the MA’s progress; summarising success, identifying barriers, finding resolutions and agreeing ongoing objectives and goals.
COMPANY PLACEMENTS
Company placements are managed by the employer. It is during these company placements that the MA will build on the practical competence, knowledge and behaviours necessary for them to become fully effective employees.
In some instances, it may be necessary to rotate MAs through different areas of their workplace so that they can gain all the competencies necessary to become fully qualified.
Employment offers might not necessarily be made to all MAs. However, this programme aims to generate MAs who will be highly sought after by all companies within their sector.
PROGRESSION
Progression from the first to each subsequent year of the MA Programme, is only permitted if your apprentice consistently performs well in academic studies, work skills, timekeeping, conduct, and discipline, and achieves all required outcomes.
Individual performance is continually monitored. Each MA’s performance is reviewed on an annual basis before the end of July, each year.
INTRODUCING META SKILLS
MA frameworks are constantly evolving to adapt to the changing needs of industry and many frameworks now contain Meta Skills as a component part of the qualifications.
A meta-skill is sort of like a master skill – it’s something that helps the apprentice develop in lots of different situations, and can be much broader than role specific skills.
To ensure they thrive as individuals, they need to develop new skills. These skills help them cope as technology, society and how we work, changes at an ever-increasing pace and these skills also enable them to excel, to collaborate and empathise with others and to create their own futures.
Meta Skills can be defined into three headings (see below).
To view the source information scan the qr code or visit: https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/what-we-do/scotlands-careers-services/ education-team/meta-skills-toolkit/progression-framework
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
FORTH VALLEY COLLEGE
• Provide a dedicated contact as MA liaison for your organisation and apprentices
• Carry out all relevant registrations and enrolments in a correct and timely fashion
• Complete and submit all funding paperwork as required in a timely manner
• Undertake and complete ‘Progress Reviews’ with all apprentices every 13 weeks
• Communicate effectively on Progress/Issues/Concerns and work with you and your apprentice to reach mutually beneficial resolutions
• Deliver MA Programmes to recognised awarding body standards
EMPLOYER
We would encourage you to provide a workplace mentor to support your apprentices throughout their apprenticeship, and/or have a named individual if possible to liaise with the College and it’s Delivery Teams.
• Help new apprentices orientate into the workplace
• Provide all necessary PPE relevant to the Job Role/Placement
• Participate fully in 13 weekly Progress Reviews
• Provide information, advice and guidance relating to the learning and assessment aspects of the apprenticeship
• Support apprentices to define meta-skills in their shared work context
• Work with apprentices and learning providers to ensure problems are resolved quickly
• Act as an expert witness for apprentices
• Provide support to apprentices as they adjust to the workplace and progress in their career
APPRENTICES
In their day-to-day roles, apprentices are responsible for:
• Adhering to the same responsibilities as any other employee, however, they also have specific responsibilities for their own learning and development
• Agreeing a learning and development plan with all parties involved and working to achieve targets set
• Committing to learning throughout the duration of the apprenticeship
• Participating in progress meetings with their employer and learning provider
• Participating in off-the-job learning where required
• Reflecting on performance and the development of skills, knowledge and behaviours required of the role
• Agreeing new goals to progress learning with all parties involved
MA PROGRAMME RULES AND GUIDANCE
PROGRAMME RULES
Both you and your apprentice will be asked to agree to the Programme Rules as set out by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) at the beginning of the Apprenticeship Programme. Programme Rules can be found at Appendix 2.
ACCESS TO SUPPORT
For the duration of the programme, each MA will have access to a range of support to assist whenever required.
The Forth Valley College Apprenticeship Officer plays a vital role in supporting MAs during their time in the programme and will, therefore, be your first point of contact.
However, others who are closely involved in the programme also provide valuable support including:
• Lecturers
• Employers
• Workplace/Assessor staff members who will carry out assessments of the MA’s practical work, to meet national standards (SVQ) and provide them with feedback on assessed performance
• A supervisor who will support or mentor your apprentice to gain a practical understanding of the work to be completed within the work place
CHANGES TO PERSONAL DETAILS
You should advise your Apprenticeship Officer of any changes to your MA’s personal details as soon as possible. This could include name, address, telephone number, etc., and any updates should be provided in writing. Your apprentice also has responsibility to notify the Apprenticeship Officer of any changes.
This is to ensure that our College records are kept up-todate. Any failure to inform us of any changes, could result in communications or certificates sent by the College to them or you, containing the wrong details and/or going to the incorrect address, etc.
WORKING HOURS
Normal working hours will depend on your organisation’s policies. MAs under the age of 18 must be restricted to working normal day shifts only, in line with Government Guidelines.
SALARY/CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT
If Skills Development Scotland funding is being accessed to support the delivery of your MA Programme, then all apprentices need to have ‘employed’ status (not selfemployed or a contractor), be registered for Tax Purposes, and be paid Minimum Wage appropriate to their age.
Further guidance on National Minimum Wages can be found on the government website. https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates
COLLEGE HOURS
The core teaching times range from 9.00am to 4.45pm, with 45 minutes for lunch and one 15-minute refreshment break. There are also twilight classes for some courses.
LEAVE
If your chosen MA Programme includes study at College then we would strongly recommend that all Holiday/Leave is allocated when the College is on holiday. This will ensure that your MA benefits from maximum attendance to their classes. When the College is on holiday, MAs, if not on annual leave themselves, will typically be working normally with you.
When the College is on holiday, MAs will typically be with their employer unless otherwise agreed.
College Term Dates can be found on the College website on the link below. https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/studentinfo/termdates/
HEALTH & SAFETY
COLLEGE RESPONSIBILITIES
It is the duty of FVC, so far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of all students.
This includes ensuring the health, safety and welfare of all students by identifying the hazards, providing information, instruction, training and supervision, producing a safety policy and consulting safety representatives.
If MAs are entitled to a locker whilst at Forth Valley College, keys will be issued during Induction.
In the event that an apprentice requires hospital treatment as a result of an accident at FVC, then a College representative will accompany the apprentice to hospital and contact a representative from your organisation, who will arrange to attend the hospital as soon as possible to check the health and welfare of the apprentice.
The Forth Valley College representative will make contact with the nominated company emergency contact as necessary.
APPRENTICE RESPONSIBILITIES
Whilst at College, students must take reasonable care of their own health and safety, and that of others, cooperate with FVC to ensure compliance, not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse resources provided, in the interests of health and safety.
Summary of your apprentices health and safety responsibilities:
• Comply with the health and safety policy of your work environment
• Report any safety hazards within your work area
• Comply with written or verbal instructions
• Observe safety rules
• Dress sensibly and safely for your particular working environment
• Use any safety equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) required
• Report any defective equipment
• Observe the fire evacuation procedures
• Follow FVC Accident Reporting if on College premises
• Follow Employer Accident Reporting if on work premises
EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES
• Provide your MA with the appropriate range of PPE and instruct on how to use safely
• Ensure that, as with all employees, your MA undertakes all of your Induction and Health and Safety training relevant to their work place
• Report to Forth Valley College any accidents or incidents involving your apprentice
ICT
MOODLE
Moodle is the College’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) or online classroom. As students of the College, MAs will be able to access course materials, email, discussion groups, conference (chat) rooms, and lots more to help with their learning. In addition, MAs will be able to access all policies and procedures that affect them via Moodle.
With an Internet connection, you can access Moodle via any computer, either inside or outside the College. In addition, MAs are linked to Ementor – an online frequently asked questions (FAQs) database for various College subjects and topics. These tools help students to make the most of their learning experience and provide invaluable support. Access to computers with internet connections is available to students in some classrooms and in the Learning Resource Centres.
ONEFILE E-PORTFOLIO
On commencing their SVQ Level 2/3/4 Award, your MA will be issued with a unique college email address that must be used at all times. This is to ensure that your OneFile keychain account is secure under the General Data Protection Regulations.
They will be allocated an Engineering or Multi-discipline Assessor who will guide them through the OneFile Induction process, explain all aspects of this system, and tell them where to find the One File user guides.
ICT USAGE POLICY
MAs should be aware that improper use of College Internet and email facilities is a disciplinary issue.
The ICT Policy outlines what the College deems acceptable use of these facilities. New members must indicate their acceptance of these rules/standards, prior to being given access to the Virtual Campus.
SOCIAL MEDIA
MAs must be aware that any views or opinions shared on social media sites that bring the reputation of either Forth Valley College or you as Employer, into disrepute will result in disciplinary action.
Furthermore, comments which could be deemed bullying, harassing or discriminatory will result in disciplinary action.
Any MA who has concerns about inappropriate use of social media should contact their Employer.
GDPR / DATA SHARING AGREEMENT
You can view our privacy notice at https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/privacy/gdpr/
This notice provides you with information about us, why we collect information from you, what we do with the information we collect from you, who we share your information with and your rights under the Data Protection Act in relation to that information.
APPENDIX 2
PROGRAMME RULES MODERN APPRENTICESHIPS
Aims and Objectives Modern Apprenticeships (MA) in Scotland
Modern Apprenticeships (MA) offer individuals paid employment combined with the opportunity to train for jobs at craft, technician and management level.
MAs are developed by Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) in conjunction with employers and key stakeholders in their industry to meet the skills needs of employers. MA frameworks must be approved by the Modern Apprenticeship Group (MAG) for delivery in Scotland.
They are for people who have reached their statutory school leaving age and over (For a summer leaver someone with a 16th birthday between 1 March and 30 September and for a winter leaver with a 16th birthday between 1 October and 28/29 February).
MODERN APPRENTICESHIPS FRAMEWORKS
In Scotland, there are over 70 different MA frameworks and they are all designed to deliver a training package around minimum standards of competence defined by employers through SSCs. They all contain the same 3 key components:.
• A relevant SVQ or alternative competency based qualification
• Core skills
• Industry specific training
PUBLIC FUNDING MODEL FOR MODERN APPRENTICESHIPS (MA)
SDS administers the Scottish Government’s public funding contribution toward the cost of training for employees that employers wish to support through an approved Modern Apprenticeship framework.
The priorities for funding are as follows:
• Maximising jobs with training opportunities for eligible young people by providing a contribution to meet employer demand for 16-24 year olds
• Maximising opportunities for the wider availability of higher level MAs including those delivered at SCQF levels 8 (VQ4), 9 (VQ5) and level 10 (VQ6) as these are approved
The Provider shall also ensure that all parties involved in the delivery of the Programme are aware of the role played, and the financial contribution made by SDS.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Modern Apprentice Name:
Employer:
Start Date:
Finish Date:
Qualifications Undertaking:
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. Training Hours - A Modern Apprentice is required to attend training for a minimum of 15 hours per 7 day period (excluding one meal break per day) and a maximum of 40 hours per 7 day period. Overtime must not be a required part of progress to achieving their SVQ, but may be undertaken on a voluntary basis.
2. Holidays - A Modern Apprentice must receive holidays at the minimum rate of: 20 days per calendar year, in addition to public holidays.
3. Protective Clothing, Tools and Equipment - No charges may be levied on a Modern Apprentice for protective clothing, tools, books and equipment that are necessary to ensure their safety in the workplace, or that they are required to wear and use.
4. A Modern Apprentice may join a Trade Union if they are eligible to do so under its rules.
5. Modern Apprentices are expected to receive a wage at such a level as to attract National Insurance Contributions or the National Minimum Wage where applicable. They should be registered for Tax & National Insurance. Apprentices in Scotland are considered to be Apprentices with effect from the date their full details are registered on SDS’s Funding Information and Processing System (FIPS).
6. Employer shall, if required by SDS at any time, promptly provide to SDS, suitable evidence to SDS’s satisfaction, demonstrating that the individual meets the full eligibility requirements, including the employed status for the relevant period. In relation to employed status, such evidence will as a minimum and without limitation, include PAYE payslip(s)/payroll records for the registered apprentice which must fully conform to UK law at the date of the pay period.
7. Employer has given Health and Safety Induction and Training in the workplace and explained what to do in case of an accident or faulty equipment.
8. All Modern Apprentices must be employed from day one of their training.
9. Modern Apprentices should be provided with adequate information on how the Core Skills and Meta Skills are to be assessed and learned.
10. Qualifications undertaken are SVQs which are achieved by a combination of “off the job” training i.e. college and “on the job” training i.e. work based practical experience.
11. Any prior achievements will be accredited provided they are current and relevant to the course undertaken.
12. Employed Trainees should normally be subject to the same procedures as other employees of the organisation with which they are employed.
13. Where the quarterly progress reviews with the learners, nominated staff from the company and the college cannot be completed due to failure by the learner or the company to participate in the review process, as per the FIPS process, the college will invoice the amount of the missed milestone for each review not completed.
• When an MA is registered on FIPS an email or SMS text will be sent by the system to the apprentice to verify the start. They will also receive an email to confirm their email address after the initial induction paperwork has been completed in order to start MA.
• If the MA does not reply within 15 days a second email or SMS is sent to the MA and at this point an email is also sent to the employer to verify the start.
• If there is still no verification from either the MA or employer by day 25 then a third email or text is sent to the MA asking that they respond within 5 days.
• If the start or training activity is not verified after 30 days the payments will be undone and the starts will be reversed out.
• The same process will be carried out for claiming milestones
14. The Scottish Executive has established a scheme to promote safer recruitment practices called Disclosure Scotland which may have implications on your business. You can find further information on the schemes on Disclosure Scotland website.
15. SDS require that employers provide an up to date copy of their employer’s liability insurance before starting a Modern Apprentice within the organisation.
Company Email Address: ________________________________________________________________
16. Generic emails - I am fully aware that the employer’s email address that is provided is not unique to 1 person within the company and can be accessed by multiple employees. Therefore I am happy for information about myself from Forth Valley College and Skills Development Scotland is sent to this address, and for information to be gathered sent to this email address.
DECLARATION
The above terms and conditions have been explained to me and I fully understand and accept them.
Apprentice Signature:
Company Representative Signature:
Date:
Date:
Apprenticeship Officer Signature: Date:
