Foundation Apprenticeship Financial Services

How is the FA Course Structured? This course runs for 2 years: Year 1 – National Progression Award Year 2 – SVQ in Providing Financial Services (part - mandatory units only) Students must complete both years to gain the overall group award for the Foundation Apprenticeship in Financial Services. The qualification is worth 52 SCQF credit points at level 6. To enable comparison, Higher English is worth 24 SCQF credit points.

What is Covered? Year 1 Year 2 (National Progression Award) An Introduction The Regulatory Framework Communication Promotive Positive Customer Relationships Personal Finance Awareness Prepare for Work Placement Year 2 (SVQ in Financial Services) Work Placement (NPA) Develop yourself to improve and maintain workplace competence in a financial services environment. Develop productive working relationships in a financial services environment. Ensure you comply with regulations in the financial services environment.

What is Covered? Year 1 Year 2 The first year is entirely college based. The learning is enhanced through employer engagement workshops which take place in college. Towards the end of the year you will be interviewed by employers to match you to a suitable work placement. Every student is guaranteed a work placement. The second year is split between college and employer placement. The college sessions will be designed to prepare you for the work you will be doing on placement. You will be required to keep a work placement diary in addition to other methods of assessment.

What is the timetable for Year 1? You will attend college for two afternoons per week, Tuesday and Thursday from 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Students do not attend college in May when SQA exams are taking place (all FA’s have a set calendar). Attendance is compulsory, particularly as this course is designed with a focus on employability. Students are required to wear uniform to college in year 1.

How is Year 1 (NPA) assessed? This course is designed on the principle of continuous assessment. This means students will continuously be working on, or revising for, an assessment for at least one outcome or unit. The assessments may be Closed book written assessments Open book written assessments Presentations Reports Students are given 2 opportunities to pass each assessment. If a student is absent for an assessment it will be recorded as a fail for that opportunity. There is no final exam for this qualification.

What is the timetable for Year 2? Students will attend placement for one day per week - Thursday from 9 am to 4.30 pm. They are matched with a suitable employer towards the end of year 1. They are required to dress appropriately for the work environment in which you are on placement.

How is Year 2 (SVQ) assessed? They will be required to show evidence of preparation for work placement, such as preparing for interviews. Students will also keep a work placement diary. Students will then be assessed, in the workplace, on their ability to carry out tasks specific to the work environment. The assessor will prepare students for this during college sessions (staggered in between work placement). There is no final examination.

Pre Foundation Apprenticeship National 5 – Skills for Work in Financial Services 24 SCQF credit points at level 5 The same number of credits as N5 English Focus is on employability skills No final exam No grade – just pass or fail

Pre Foundation Apprenticeship H6MW75 – Financial Services Introduction Scotland HF2375 – Personal Finance Awareness DM7V75 – Building Positive Relationships with Customers and Colleagues DM8075 – Financial Services: Employability Skills

Progression opportunities… FAST TRACK MODERN APPRENTICESHIP COLLEGE HNC/HND EMPLOYMENT UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION APPRENTICESHIP

Progression Routes Modern Apprenticeship Employment The SVQ units in year 2 are 3 of the units from the MA. This makes students more attractive to employers if applying for modern apprenticeships! Employment Student may be offered full time or part time employment with the placement organisation if you have made a very good impression. HNC/D Qualifications Successful candidates are guaranteed a place on HNC/D Financial Services. You will qualify for other HN qualifications within the Business Faculty. University The FA qualification is worth 52 SCQF credit points at level 6.

Why chose these courses? Academic grades are important Employers constantly stress that they struggle to find people with the right skills and attitude. Demonstration of key employability skills is more important than demonstration of knowledge. Showing an interest in the sector is also key