{"id":41351,"date":"2019-02-11T13:49:53","date_gmt":"2019-02-11T13:49:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sfc.6bdv.ws\/blog-68812\/"},"modified":"2025-07-29T15:28:49","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T14:28:49","slug":"blog-68812","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sfc.ac.uk\/gd\/blog-68812\/","title":{"rendered":"Negotiating the gap between school and work"},"content":{"rendered":"

How D&A College\u2019s Future Skills programme is bridging the gap between school and work, with high quality work placement and apprenticeship opportunities for young people.<\/p>\n

\"Banner<\/p>\n

There is an ever increasing need to find imaginative ways to bridge the gap between school and work.<\/p>\n

With this in mind, Dundee and Angus (D&A) College began a highly successful pilot programme four years ago involving local secondary school, Menzieshill. The pilot proved to be highly successful and went a long way towards easing the pupils into suitable apprenticeships. So far so good, but since then enhanced engagement with employers and a renewed focus on developing the young workforce has resulted in the pilot blossoming into a full Future Skills College.<\/p>\n

The Future Skills College was officially launched earlier this year as a joint employer and educational partnership and charity. In 2017-18, 27 young people in S5 and S6 from across the D&A region took part in this innovative curriculum, giving them the opportunity to start their careers in plumbing, electrical, early years education and childcare.<\/p>\n

With a success rate of over 90%, the project has grown to such an extent that it is now fully supported by Dundee City Council, Angus Council and the range of local employers keen to attract the very best new apprentices.<\/p>\n

Crucially, the Future Skills College begins with the employers, as the curriculum and opportunities available are determined relative to
\nemployer need. Through our employer connections the potential number of high quality work placements and future apprenticeship opportunities
\nare identified and jointly agreed up front.<\/p>\n

Unlike other provision, if there is limited opportunity for placement and an apprenticeship for successful participants then the provision is not offered.<\/p>\n

All of this \u2018brokerage\u2019 is supported through a dedicated member of staff funded by DC Thomson through their Northwood Trust and working in partnership with the employers, College and education authorities to secure the best outcomes for all involved.<\/p>\n

Once provision is agreed for the year ahead, school pupils have an opportunity to apply and the College manages and oversees the employer links, vocational learning and work placement elements of the programme. Here is the typical week for a pupil on the plumbing programme:<\/p>\n