Foundation Apprenticeships set learners on the road to success
Thursday 21 August 2025
Two former Foundation Apprentices from Dumfries have said that the skills they developed and experiences they have gained as part of their course have put them on the path to success.
Former Foundation Apprentices Skye Martin and Emily Copeland both completed Foundation Apprenticeships in Creative and Digital Media 2024. Skye, a former pupil at St Joseph’s College, and Emily, previously a pupil at Dumfries High School – secured placements with local employers while in their final year at school.
Both Skye and Emily insist that the skills and experiences they gained, and responsibilities they were given during the Foundation Apprenticeship placement, helped them as they moved onto the next stage of their learning and development.
Foundation Apprenticeships are a work-based learning opportunity for secondary school pupils usually starting in S5. Young people can spend time out of school with a local employer and complete the Foundation Apprenticeship alongside their more traditional courses like National 5s, Highers and Advanced Highers
Speaking about her Foundation Apprenticeship in Digital and Creative Media, Skye said: ‘I really, really enjoyed the course. I thought it was very fast paced and very hands on. But my definite favourite part was my marketing work experience that I undertook with Clear as a Bell Marketing.
‘It gave me a really good insight to real life industry and gave me really good experience what it was like in the workplace. I’ve just completed my first year at university studying International Fashion Branding, and I believe my Foundation Apprenticeship has really given me the confidence and experience to succeed here.’
Emily said: ‘I turned my love of football into creative career path. While in my final year at school, I entered a Foundation Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media and completed the work based placement at Queen of the South Football Club.
‘The apprenticeship gave me real world experience, opened doors that I could never have imagined, and overall boosted my confidence. During my time, I managed social media, created match day content and boosted the overall engagement by over 300% in just a short space of time. My biggest highlight of the year would be being shortlisted for Foundation Apprentice of the Year out of over 250 nominations.
‘Now I'm studying HNC in Business at Dumfries and Galloway College and moving on next term to study for a HND in Journalism and Multimedia at the City of Glasgow College.’
Sarah McKnight, Principal Teacher of Foundation Apprenticeships at Dumfries and Galloway Council, believes that learners who undertake a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 or S6 are well prepared for the next stage in their learning as a result of completing the course.
Sarah said: “As Sky and Emily’s experiences have confirmed, Foundation Apprenticeships allow young people to gain valuable experience of the workplace while they’re still at school. Having that safe space to learn, and the confidence that they’re being supported throughout their time with an employer helps to foster resilience and other skills sought after by colleges, universities, and employers.
Sarah adds: “The skills that Foundation Apprentices develop are really important. They have had to go into a workplace, work with other staff and employees, manage their time, and deliver on tasks that they are set. These are all really valuable skills that stand apart from what they’re learning in school and will help them at the next stage in their education or training.”
Dan Armstrong, Commercial Manager at Queen of the South FC said: "It is a breath of fresh air working with young people and to help nurture the talent they have. It has been rewarding to help Emily on her learning journey".
Sarah said: “The multi-disciplinary nature of the work they did gave the Foundation Apprentices a great insight into what it’s like to work in a marketing and communications environment and gave them first-hand experience of the sort of tasks they would be expected to do for an employer. Those who have completed the course have been fortunate to receive unconditional offers from the colleges and universities that they have applied to because of the practical experiences they have developed. It’s really helped them stand out from other applicants.”
Maureen Wallace, Regional Manager for SQA, said: “A Foundation Apprenticeship is a different way of learning; it gives young people a qualification, and the experience employers are looking for, all while still being at school.
Maureen adds: “A Foundation Apprenticeship gives young people a chance to gain valuable experience of the workplace, develop their practical and interpersonal skills, enhance their CV or their personal statement and help them decide what they want to do after school, whether that’s going on to college or university, entering into a training programme such as a Modern Apprenticeship or going straight into employment.”
For more information on Foundation Apprenticeships, visit our Foundation Apprenticeships page.