Supporting the Hospitality Foundation Apprenticeship
As an employer, you can help school pupils develop their skills for a career in hospitality.
The Foundation Apprenticeship (FA) in hospitality introduces pupils in S4 – S6 (ages 15 -18) to the skills and knowledge required to work in the hospitality industry.
Delivered over one year, the qualification can be studied at SCQF Level 4 (equivalent to Nat 4) or SCQF Level 5 (equivalent to Nat 5). It includes:
- A Skills for Work Hospitality award at SCQF Level 4 or 5
- A work-based challenge unit
College & workplace learning
College learning
The pupil will attend NESCol to complete both their Skills for Work award and the work-based challenge unit.
Teaching will take the form of practical, hands-on activities in a professional kitchen and front of house environment.
The pupil will attend College for two half days a week, with the course delivered over one academic year.
The topics covered in the Skills for Work SCQF Level 4 award include:
- Working in the Professional Kitchen
- Working Front of House
- Working in the Hospitality Industry
- Introduction to Events
The topics covered in the Skills for Work SCQF Level 5 award include:
- Developing Skills for Working in Hospitality
- Developing Skills for Working in the Professional Kitchen
- Front of House Operations
- Events
97%
of schools-college students would recommend NESCol¹
Employer involvement
Employer engagement is a key part of the FA. There are a number of ways for an organisation to get involved, including setting a project for the work-based challenge unit.
Part of the apprenticeship requires pupils to work together on a project, with a brief set by a real client.
With support from NESCol, employers can set this project which will form the work-based challenge unit. This should complement some of the learning outcomes from the NPA.
Site visits are a great opportunity for pupils to gain an insight into the hospitality sector. They can also give the pupils context for their project.
Workshops or presentations run by employers help learners understand the career paths available to them in the hospitality sector, and find out what skills organisations are looking for.
Progression
After completing their FA , the pupil can move on to:
- A Modern Apprenticeship
- Further study at college
- Employment
Previous employers have been so impressed with their apprentice, that they’ve hired them in a full-time role or as a Modern Apprentice.
Support
FA Project Officer
A NESCol FA Project Officer will be on hand for the duration of the programme as a point of contact.
Resources
Full breakdown of the Foundation Apprenticeship
Employer guide
SCQF qualification levels explained
Progression pathways
Contact us
If your organisation is interested in supporting an FA, or if you have any further questions, please get in touch with the team:
¹ Source: NESCol Student Satisfaction & Engagement Survey AY 2024/25