1. Scottish Modern Apprenticeships
Sarah Hart, Scottish Government
Jane Duffy, Skills Development Scotland
19th March 2015

2. Overview of Modern Apprenticeship Policy
Scottish Government
Scotland’s Economic Strategy
Programme for Government
Developing the Young Workforce: Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy

3. Modern Apprenticeship Group
Responsible for the approval and de-approval of all Scottish apprenticeship frameworks.
Members of the group are drawn from the following organisations:
Scottish Government (Chair)
Skills Development Scotland (SDS)
Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) Accreditation
College Development Network
Scottish Training Federation
Scottish Trades Union Congress
Sector Skills Councils/ Standards Setting Organisations

4. What are the priorities for Modern and Higher Level Apprenticeships?
To meet the demands of the economy, employers and the needs of individuals
Help individual employees gain invaluable skills and industry recognised qualifications
To improve participation, retention and achievement rates
To take account of the needs of key industries /sectors and STEM skills
To address market failure
To contribute to productivity and employment and demonstrate value for money
To facilitate progression in the workplace
To contribute to improving Scotland’s skills base
Guided by Govt policy
Maximise jobs with training opportunities for year olds, with priority given to 16 to 19 year olds; because of the level of youth unemployment and the life long legacy that unemployment at and early stage leaves
Funding for the 25+ age group is prioritise towards certain sectors, including key sectors and growth sectors. Key and growth sectors are those sectors with the potential to deliver increased sustainable growth and employment opportunities
Level 3 and above is where we want to see most of the opportunities. Research by various bodies has show that Level 3 is where benefits to the economy and to individuals start to impact in terms of salary and career progression. Also want to encourage higher level Apprenticeships for the same reasons, as well as providing a viable alternative to higher education
Level 2 MAs are very important for certain sectors, as an entry route for young people and also because that levels reflects the jobs in some sectors

5. Levels of Apprenticeships in Scotland
Modern Apprenticeship at SCQF level 5 (National 5s)
Modern Apprenticeship at SCQF level 6/7 (Highers/ HNCs)
Technical Apprenticeship at SCQF level 8/9 (HND - Ordinary Degree)
Professional Apprenticeship at SCQF level 10+ (Honours Degree - Masters Degree)
Over 80 frameworks in diverse industries, everything from Construction to Wind Turbines to Youth Work
Qualifications in brackets are intended to show where other qualifications sit on the SCQF, to get an idea of the level of learning involved and not to give a direct equivalence.
Higher Level apprenticeships were rebadged in 2012 in response to employer feedback. The key differences are: more flexibility for the mandatory qualification and the introduction of career skills instead of core skills for higher levels. Changes were only for new frameworks submitted from August 2012 onwards.

6. Content of a Scottish Modern Apprenticeship
Remember – it’s slightly different for higher level apprenticeships – the differences are the mandatory qualification and the career skills

7. Technical and Professional Apprenticeships
The key differences are:
Greater flexibility for the mandatory qualification
Scottish Vocational Qualification/ Competency Based Qualification/ HN/ Professional qualification/ any other NOS based qualification at SCQF Level 8+
Career Skills
Pan sector units covering areas like Finance for non Financial Managers, Risk Assessment etc.
Reflects the work based requirements at higher levels

8. Content of a Higher Level Apprenticeship in Scotland

9. MA Framework Submission Process
Note: The submission date for new and revised frameworks is 5 weeks before the MAG meeting, to allow the sub group to review and give feedback to the SSC and give the SSC sufficient time to make amendments.

10. MAG Submission Process – Points to consider
UKCES Contract completion dates – majority of submissions are December – February Late submissions - MAG submission dates are set each year. Submitting to sub-group first is essential to pick up quality issues. Quality of submissions –poor spelling, grammar, format, incomplete information, demand not quantified and articulated, core skills mapping where needed etc. Consultation - not representative of the sector, focus on needs of larger employers, poor response rate from employers, lack of involvement of trade unions etc. Scottish system is different – but the end result is still a fully trained and competent individual

11. What role does SDS play?
Considers demand evidence for Apprenticeships using:
SSC estimates of demand
Information and intelligence from industry, employers and training providers
Government information and policy direction
Prepares Contracting Strategy to reflect funding priorities
Procures MA places
Contracting Strategy published on Public Contracts Scotland
Accepts bids, evaluates bids and makes allocations
Disburses public funding
Makes financial contribution towards training
Standard contribution table based on complexity of framework and contribution to the Scottish economy
Employers are encouraged to fund Apprenticeships themselves
SDS only pays a contribution to the cost of training - typically between £500 and £9,000 per person
SDS contribution is commensurate with the level of training provided and industry supported
SDS contribution for different age groups reflects Scottish Government priorities
Funding is usually linked to milestones achieved and generally to the overall achievement of an MA (output based funding model)

12. Contribution Rates Contribution rates are based on:
Age group banding (16 to 19), (20 to 24) and (25 plus)
Level of VQ in framework
Formal, taught learning as defined in the MA framework
Administration costs including registration, certification and CTS
Core skills or Career Skills for higher levels
Assessment costs
Key and growth sector-related frameworks

13. Commission for Developing Scotland's Young Workforce
MAs should be aligned with the skills for economic growth
Focus on progression opportunities
Industry-led quality improvement regime
Potential to increase MA starts focused on Level 3 and above
(new target of 30,000 starts by 2020)
Increasing focus on STEM skills
Opportunity to deliver vocational qualifications in senior phase, including of-the-job components for MAs
Greater focus on equalities

14. Or in the delivery of the qualifications in the framework?
Equality Issues
Promotion of Apprenticeships to BME individuals and employers
Uptake for people with disabilities is low
Gender segregation in different occupations
How can you support equality of access and opportunity in your frameworks?
Or in the delivery of the qualifications in the framework?