Foundation Apprenticeships - Software Development - web

.SOFTWARE
.DEVELOPMENT
.FOUNDATION.
.APPRENTICESHIP.
Read on to find out how to get a head start
in your career at West College Scotland

.HOW DOES IT WORK?.
A Foundation Apprenticeship takes two years to complete,
is the same level of learning as a Higher (SCQF level 6),
and is one of your subject choices. As you work towards a
qualification you will spend time out of school at college and
with a local employer.
.WHY DO IT?.
Get the hands-on experience and skills that employers
want
• gain a qualification recognised by employers
• work on real projects with local employers
• Step into an exciting and growing industry that needs skilled
people
Broaden your options and get a head start in your career
• Get a taste of your chosen career before you leave school
while also getting your National 5s and Highers
• Get option to apply accelerated entry to a Modern
Apprenticeship after successfully completing your Foundation
Apprenticeship
• Help your application and personal statement for college or
university stand out from the crowd
• Develop useful industry contacts and improve your job prospects
after you leave school
Try out a different way to learn out of the classroom and
into a real workplace
• Develop self-confidence, problem-solving and leadership skills
• Meet people from other schools, college and the workplace
• Take on more responsibility as a work colleague and team member

SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
FOUNDATION APPRENTICESHIP
- SCQF LEVEL 6
This 2 year Foundation Apprenticeship is designed to provide young
people with the software design and programming skills to write and
maintain computer applications, to create websites and to successfully
define customer requirements and take them from initiation to final
product.
In addition to formal college tuition, time will be devoted to work
related experience including work placements, work shadowing,
industry visits and work related training.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Pupils should have a proven interest in at least one of the following
areas: programming, software development, apps design or website
creation and design.
A minimum of four passes including English and either Maths or
Computing at National 5 or equivalent is required for entry.
Pupils will also be required to provide a personal statement on what
attracts them to IT and why they want to become involved in the IT
DAYS AND TIMES
Software Development Foundation Apprenticeship.
• Tuesday & Thursday 1.30pm – 4.30pm

COURSE CONTENT
The following units will be studied during the first year of the course:
• Computing: Applications Development
• Computing: Authoring a Website
• Software Design and Development
The following units will be studied during the second year of the course:
• Event Driven Programming or Object Oriented Programming
• Investigating and Defining Customer Requirements for IT &
Telecoms systems
• Data Modelling 1
PROGRESSION
On satisfactory completion the programme, pupils will have the
opportunity of progressing to our HNC/D programme in Software
Development. This course leads directly to third year entry at
University on completion of the HND.
INTERVIEW
A successful interview with college staff and a good school reference
will be required before a place is offered on the course.
11,500
Number of new digital
technologies jobs predicted
each year until 2020.

.HOW TO.
.APPLY.
If you’re interested speak to your Guidance
Teacher or your school’s Careers Adviser
Register your interest at
www.westcollegescotland.ac.uk/foundation-apprenticeship
.DID YOU.KNOW?.
• the average digital technologies wage is well
above the national average
• there is a wide variety of jobs and more skilled
people needed
• if you’re a creative thinker, with a knack for
solving problems and seeing opportunities, a
career in ICT and digital might be for you
For more information on foundation
apprenticeships visit www.apprenticeships.scot