Modern Apprenticeships - Pathway

What is the Modern Apprenticeship role at SQA?

We help young people learn about the world of work through our own "Pathways" Modern Apprenticeship programme.

Our programme gives our Modern Apprentices the opportunity to work towards an industry-recognised qualification and gain 12 months of valuable work experience in a variety of areas from across the business. The training programme is open to all young people aged between 16 and 19, and up to 29 for any care-experienced young people. Placements include working with one of our teams in:

1. Customer Support
2. Logistics
3. Operations
4. Events
5. Digital development
6. Accreditation

Throughout your Modern Apprenticeship at SQA, you will complete a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) in Business and Administration, this combined with your work experience will help you to identify your strengths, and your long-term career goals, and help you to develop the skills, knowledge and experience needed to secure a business and administration role in any organisation.

Where would I be based?

You will be based at either Lowden, our office complex in Shawfair Business Park near Dalkeith on the outskirts of Edinburgh, or the Optima Building, our office in Glasgow city centre.

What will I be responsible for?

Over the course of your Modern Apprenticeship, you will provide administrative support to a business area, and gain practical knowledge and experience in a variety of working environments.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing administrative support to business areas across SQA e.g. diary management for teams, room bookings, raising and processing purchase orders and invoices, and communicating with other teams and external colleagues;
• Following SQA’s current process and procedures, and contribute to our continuous improvement commitments;
• Providing a high level of customer service, by responding to queries quickly and accurately, and building and maintaining positive customer relationships; and
• Being a positive ambassador for the “Pathways” programme at internal and external events.

You will also be responsible for working towards your qualification. Time will be set aside for you to do this, but you will be responsible for completing any assignments you have been given. You will also be assigned an assessor who will assist you with the completion of your SVQ, but you will be responsible for completing any associated tasks.

What do I need to apply?

There are no formal entry requirements for this role however the following skills will be required:

• A good level of written and verbal communication skills
• Be able to use Microsoft Office including Outlook, Excel, and Word
• An understanding of how to be customer focused
• Be capable of planning your day and prioritising tasks and activities

Our Modern Apprentices are valuable additions to our teams. As part of your apprenticeship, we will work with you to develop employability skills, and give you opportunity to demonstrate these throughout your placement, and you may have the opportunity to apply for other roles within SQA once you have completed your apprenticeship.

Applications for the 2020 Pathway intake are now closed. Applications for the 2021 intake will open again next year.