Highland Learning Academy Partners with Moray Council to Launch Foundation Apprenticeships Across Seven Schools

Senior phase pupils from across Moray will begin SCQF Level 6 Foundation Apprenticeships in Business Skills and Creative and Digital Media next week, as schools return for the new session.

Highland Learning Academy (HLA) have announced a new partnership with Moray Council to deliver Foundation Apprenticeships to senior phase pupils across seven schools in Moray, beginning as pupils return to school next week.

Under the partnership, HLA tutors will deliver two SCQF Level 6 Foundation Apprenticeship pathways — Business Skills and Creative and Digital Media — giving S6 pupils the opportunity to work towards a nationally recognised qualification alongside their school studies.

In the programme's first year, 36 young people across the seven participating schools will undertake the qualification, combining classroom learning delivered by Highland Learning Academy tutors with a work placement, giving pupils direct, practical experience relevant to their chosen pathway.

The rollout has also been boosted by a donation from SSEN Transmission, which has funded the purchase of laptops to support in-school delivery of Foundation Apprenticeships — a resource that will benefit pupils this year and support Moray Council's plans to expand its Foundation Apprenticeship offer in consortia across its schools in future years.

HLA has also had fantastic support from Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Moray in sourcing the work placements that underpin the programme, helping to match pupils with local employers and ensuring each placement gives young people meaningful, relevant experience alongside their studies.

“Councillor Kathleen Robertson, Chair of Moray Council’s Education, Children’s and Leisure Services Committee, said: “We’re really pleased to be working with Highland Learning Academy to give young people across Moray the chance to take part in Foundation Apprenticeships in Business Skills and Creative and Digital Media.

“It’s great to see thirty-six S6 pupils taking part in the first year and getting the opportunity to combine their school studies with valuable workplace experience. It’s a really positive way for young people to build their confidence, develop practical skills and prepare for their next steps.

“We’re also very grateful to SSEN Transmission  for funding laptops to support delivery in our schools. This will benefit pupils taking part this year and help us develop the Foundation Apprenticeship offer across Moray in the future.”

— Moray Council

“This partnership with Moray Council is a fantastic opportunity to open up high-quality, work-relevant qualifications to even more young people. Foundation Apprenticeships give pupils a genuine head start, real skills, real workplace experience, and a qualification that means something to employers. We can't wait to get started with all seven schools next week, and we're hugely grateful to SSEN Transmission for their support in making this happen.”

— Cath Sutherland, Managing Director, Highland Learning Academy

Delivery began last week as schools across Moray returned for the new academic session, with HLA tutors working across all seven participating schools throughout the year.