An appeal has gone out to firms looking to take on Modern Apprentices to get in touch with Forth Valley College on the back of Scottish Apprenticeship Week – 7-11 March 2022.
Forth Valley College knows that developing your workforce is critical in these difficult times as we emerge from the pandemic, so in response, the College is encouraging companies – especially in the fields of Digital Technology (IT) and Facilities Management -interested in taking on a MA, to tap into the expertise at Forth Valley College.
At the Alloa Campus a fully equipped Facilities Management National Training Centre – originally a partnership facility created by the College and FES FM in 2014 to train 12 MAs to SVQ level 3 standard – is the ideal place for your FM MA to learn their trade and we are eager to hear from anyone interested in finding out more.
Digital Technology Modern Apprentices (MAs) are also benefiting from our hands on work place experience with help from Forth Valley College’s work based assessors.
Due to the growth of the IT sector and demand for digital skills, the one-year work-based MA programme is proving to be the perfect course to equip trainees with a recognisable qualification and desirable skills based either in the IT Support or Cyber Security fields.
These highly trained MA employees are becoming essential for any company which has a designated IT department as the course covers everything from cyber security to programming and telecoms. Industry recognised Diplomas (to SVQ Level 6) in either Information Security or Information Technology and Telecommunications are the goal for MAs who successfully complete the programme.
In Scotland alone around 13,000 jobs in this area need to be filled each year, making the new Digital Technology MA programme an attractive prospect for firms. Forth Valley College has been helping companies with the recruitment process, tailoring the training to meet their needs and providing work based assessors and dedicated business development partners to answer any questions and deal with any issues raised during the term of an MA’s training.
Jason Marr, a Digital Technology MA working at Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans, said: “My journey through my modern apprenticeship within Sight Scotland has been very exciting. Working remotely was hard to adapt to during the first steps but it feels natural now, working within this apprenticeship practically, feels like that I’ve learned more than what I would’ve in a classroom setting. With OneFile evidence you provide, it keeps you on your feet and keeps information fresh in your head to use later in your apprenticeship.”
Kevin Burns, Head of IT at Sight Scotland Sight Scotland Veterans, said: “I have been thoroughly impressed with the Digital Technology Modern Apprenticeship scheme so far and the way Jason has been supported all the way through. He has been a breath of fresh air and continues to bring youthful enthusiasm which is infectious and I can see this through the rest of the team. I can also see his confidence growing and his communication and technical skills developing each day. I would certainly recommend the scheme to any employer not just for the added technical skills but also the boost it has given the whole team.”
More about MA Programmes
A Modern Apprenticeship (MA) is designed to support your business, 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.
Forth Valley College Facilities
The expert lecturing staff and excellent facilities help to tailor training specifically to each employer and they pride themselves on their 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 at all three 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 Forth Valley College.
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 our programmes.
Looking for more information?
There are spaces available in several MA programmes, all you have to do is visit www.forthvalley.ac.uk/develop_workforce and one of the team members will be in touch.
