Guidance for Foundation Apprenticeships 2025-26

3. FAs were first introduced in AY 2014-15 offering senior phase school pupils access to structured work-based learning to industry-recognised standards. There are FA frameworks at SCQF Levels 4, 5 and 6. Since first delivered the model has evolved, and delivery partners now include Local Authorities (LAs) and independent learning providers as lead partners.
4. The aim of the programme is to create a high-quality work-based learning experience within S3 through to the senior phase of education (S4-S6) that:

• Offers learners the opportunity to develop accredited skills and capability within a work-based context.
• Enables employers to make a structured contribution to the learning of school age pupils by providing real-life work-based situations and projects.
• Develops meta-skills within individuals that can contribute to work readiness and create high performing employees.

5. The SCQF Level 4/5 programmes require a different model of delivery to FAs at Level 6 by focusing on:

• Delivery in schools supported by expertise from employers, practitioners and other experts as required.
• Project-based learning that can be related to the school curriculum.
• Emphasis on the development of meta-skills for learners using work-based projects and situations.

6. FAs support the delivery of SFC’s strategic objective to invest in education that is accessible to learners from all backgrounds and throughout life; gives them a
   high-quality learning experience and supports them to succeed in their studies; provides opportunities to participate; and equips them to flourish in employment, further study and fulfilling lives. They also support the Scottish Government’s strategic priority of
   high-quality learning in a system which is seamlessly connected for the learner. This includes learning which prepares people well for the world of work and successful
   long-term careers, prioritising provision that meets known skills gaps in the economy.
7. SFC is firmly committed to work-based learning as part of the wider curriculum offer and is supportive of FAs as a vehicle for increasing work-based learning pathways.
8. The Outcomes Framework and Assurance Model was introduced in AY 2024-25. The Outcomes Framework sets out SFC’s expectations of colleges in return for the funding they receive. There are seven outcomes for colleges. FAs are particularly important in the support of the delivery of SFC’s Skills and Work-based Learning outcome:

Institutions produce confident and highly capable work-ready graduates, engaging with employers to respond to industry and sector needs, skills alignment and to co-create solutions to challenges.  Students are equipped with the skills and knowledge to find employment, flourish in their career, meet employer needs and make a positive contribution to society and the economy.

9. The Assurance Model is the method by which SFC monitors and engages with institutions, so that we gain the assurance we need that the desired outcomes are achieved.
10. FAs also contribute to other outcomes such as High-Quality Learning and Teaching and Student Interests, Access and Success.

11. SFC and SDS will continue to work together to ensure consistency is maintained across all FA provision. Regional partnerships between colleges, LAs and employers are key to the delivery of a high-quality FA programme. The extensive expertise and experience of a multi-partnership approach has a strong role to play. It is recognised that each member of the multi-partnership approach will bring expertise which can support FAs and provide high quality delivery.
12. Communities of Practice (COPs) are delivered throughout the academic year and provide opportunities to develop good practice in delivery of FA qualifications. SFC recommends that colleges participate in these events to develop and share good practice. These events, along with the college’s quality processes, provide assurance to SFC that good practice is being shared effectively.

13. To be eligible to participate in an approved FA framework, a student must satisfy the criteria set out below. Colleges should use all reasonable endeavours to ensure that the student meets the eligibility criteria as set out below.

• A student must be domiciled in Scotland at their start date or be a student who is not domiciled in Scotland but whose S3 (for Level 4/5) or senior phase (for Level 4/5/6) of education is provided predominantly in Scotland.
• A student studying a Level 6 FA must be in senior phase of education at the start of the course (i.e., S4-S6) and for Level 4 and Level 5 FAs, a student must be in either S3 or in the senior phase of education (i.e., S4-S6).
• The proposed student must have demonstrated an appropriate ability to complete the selected FA framework whilst still participating in their S3/senior phase of education, whichever is appropriate to the SCQF level.

14. If, as a result of exceptional circumstances, any student has not completed their FA Level 6 framework prior to completing their senior phase of secondary education, the college should make every opportunity available to assist the student to complete the qualification. Further advice and support can be received through your SFC Outcome Manager.

15. The Quality Standards that apply to FA providers can be accessed in the SDS Learning Provider area of apprenticeships.scot. Under Scotland’s Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework (TQEF), SFC expects colleges to have in place processes for assuring and enhancing academic standards and the quality of the student experience. This includes an expectation that institutions operate systems of annual monitoring and periodic Institution Led Quality Review (ILQR) across the full range of their provision, including FAs. Outcomes of these activities should include identifying areas of both improvement and good practice, and actions to deliver enhancement for consideration at institutional level. The mechanism for reporting the outcomes of annual monitoring and ILQR to SFC is through the Self Evaluation and Action Plan. Further information on SFC’s expectations for quality can be found in the SFC’s Guidance on Quality for Colleges and Universities 2024-25 to 2030-31.
16. The Quality Assurance Agency is responsible for ongoing engagement with the colleges in relation to quality assurance and enhancement and for leading the external peer review of provision (Tertiary Quality Enhancement Review – TQER) delivered by colleges/universities on a cyclical basis, as part of the TQEF. Further detail about the TQEF can be found on the SFC website at Scotland’s Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework – Scottish Funding Council and about the TQER on the QAA website Tertiary Quality Enhancement Review (TQER)

17. FA reporting in AY 2025-26 will mirror requirements in place for other college programmes through FE Statistics (FES).
18. In addition, SFC’s Skills and Coherent Provision Team will meet with regional colleges and with the University of the Highlands and Islands as the Regional Strategic Body for these regions to discuss FA progress and delivery and determine provision for the subsequent academic year.
19. The indicative timeline for SFC / institutional engagement is set out below:

• October 2025: Request for data on the numbers of enrolments by level and FA framework to determine recruitment against expected sector recruitment figures.
• November-December 2025: Engagement to discuss FA progress to date, delivery and any operational challenges.
• March-April 2026: Engagement to discuss FA delivery and plans for AY 2026-27.

20. Colleges must discuss plans to cease delivery of an FA framework with SFC’s Skills and Coherent Provision team as soon as practically possible in advance of this decision being made.
21. SFC will monitor the uptake of activity through engagement as set out in paragraph 19 and FES returns. The requirements for reporting through FES can be found in the FES Guidance Notes for AY 2025-26 and in Annex B of this paper. SFC will continue to work with SDS to produce a FA Annual Report, facilitated through a joint data sharing agreement.
22. FA activity funded through LAs: Colleges should not claim credits for FA activity contracted through a LA. If the FA activity is contracted through a Local Authority, then the FA course must be coded as FES 1 Source of Finance code ’05’ SDS and credits cannot be claimed. The Qualification Aim at FES 1 and FES 2 should be code ’40’ Foundation Level Apprenticeship and the FES 2 Target Group should be code ‘2’ Foundation Apprentice.’

23. In promoting the FAs, colleges should take appropriate positive action in marketing to schools, pupils and parents, with a view to improving representation where there is clear imbalance in provision, targeting gender, disability, ethnicity and people who have been in care. A marketing toolkit which provides further guidance on promotion of FAs is available at apprenticeships.scot/resources.

24. The Final College Funding Allocations for AY 2025-26 identified that the Scottish Government is committed to FAs as part of senior phase provision and the expectation is that the sector will deliver up to 2,500 opportunities in AY 2025-26. As in AY 2024-25, in setting college credit thresholds for AY 2025-26 we have not identified separate FA credits.
25. SFC will continue to maximise FA opportunities within our core teaching provision, in line with Scottish Government expectations, whilst recognising the need to balance this alongside other provision.
26. Colleges can vire funding and credit activity between frameworks within their overall allocation; however, in doing so they should be mindful of the overall provision and the relevance of that provision to the needs of the regional economy.
27. Colleges should work with LAs to meet demand within the region, up to the budget available. If colleges have capacity to deliver additional activity, and there is unmet demand within the LA, then colleges should aim to deliver that activity.
28. Colleges should draw down funding for FAs as they would for core funding and comply with SFC’s Credit Guidance for 2025-26.

29. For AY 2025-26, there is a change to the way FA learner travel expenses will be paid. Funding for FA travel will be provided by the Scottish Government to SFC therefore Colleges should not claim travel expenses from SDS. We will provide further details on the process for payments to colleges at a later date. Arrangements for future years will be considered as part of the transfer of FE student support to SAAS.

30. The following conditions apply:

• Use of funding must meet the eligibility criteria set out in this guidance.
• Any under-delivery or shortfall in total credit activity may result in the recovery of funding.
• Colleges must provide data returns requested by SFC to the deadlines and standards specified, including FES reporting requirements.
• Colleges must provide updates on the funded activity as requested by SFC.
• In acknowledgement of SFC’s funding contribution, our logo must be displayed on any publicity material relating to FAs (signage, posters, website, etc.). You will also be required to display other logos in recognition of FA delivery – full details are contained within the marketing toolkit on apprenticeships.scot/resources.

31. SFC is committed to processing any personal data fairly, transparently and in accordance with the law. SFC’s privacy notice is available on our website. SFC will use the information submitted by colleges to provide regular updates to the Scottish Government on the current uptake and use of funding. (The Scottish Government’s privacy notice is available on its website.)

32. In addition to this guidance document, the following annexes are also available to support this process:

• Annex A: Breakdown of college credits by framework AY 2024-25
• Annex B: Reporting Requirements
• Annex C: FA Delivery Toolkit and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

33. Any queries/requests for further information should be directed to Sharon Drysdale, Deputy Director, Skills and Coherent Provision, e-mail: sdrysdale@sfc.ac.uk.

Dr. Jacqui Brasted
Director of Access, Learning and Outcomes

1. There are 12 different FA frameworks at SCQF Level 6. They are designed to provide a work-based learning qualification that meets minimum standards of competence as defined by licensed Sector Skills Councils and industry. Each SCQF Level 6 FA framework contains three key components: skills, knowledge and competence.
2. There are three SCQF Level 4 and two SCQF Level 5 customised awards, each designed to provide a work-based learning qualification. Each Level 4/5 qualification contains two key components: a work-based learning project and a National Progression Award/Skills for Work qualification. The customised awards are as follows:

• Construction Level 4 & Level 5.
• Automotive Level 4.
• Hospitality Level 4 & Level 5.

Breakdown of College Credits by Framework: AY 2025-26

FAs funded through Local Authorities (LAs)

1. If FA activity is contracted through an LA then the FA must be coded as FES 1 Source of Finance code ‘05’ SDS. Credits cannot be claimed for this activity. The Qualification Aim at FES 1 and FES 2 should be code ‘40’ Foundation Level Apprenticeships and the FES Target Group should be code ‘2’ Foundation Apprentice.
2. College must also comply with the following SFC conditions/guidance for AY 2025-26:

• Conditions of College Funding (Annex A)
• Credit Guidance for Colleges
• Outcomes Framework and Assurance Model
• FES Guidance notes.

3. In partnership with SFC, SDS will evaluate the achievements of each provider by assessing the achieved performance levels, therefore colleges are required to make evidence available through FES for performance management purposes.