Harley engineers dream career with Foundation Apprenticeship
Harley Higgins chose a Foundation Apprenticeship in Engineering at school as he wanted to work in engineering and realised that getting on-the-job experience would help him decide which sector he wanted to go into.
A Foundation Apprenticeship gave bright spark Harley Higgins a foot in the door with his employer and engineered his future career.
Harley, 18, of Greenock, chose a Foundation Apprenticeship in Engineering at school as he wanted to work in engineering and realised that getting on-the-job experience would help him decide which sector he wanted to go into.
The Foundation Apprenticeship made his career path clear and after completion he secured a Modern Apprenticeship job in Multi-skilled Engineering at power supply specialist Aggreko – ahead of 300 other candidates.
Harley studied three days a week at West College Scotland in Paisley during his Foundation Apprenticeship completing practical work and giving detailed explanations of processes and systems in his portfolio.
Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship opened my eyes to the opportunities that are available and helped me develop relevant skills and knowledge. A Foundation Apprenticeship was the best subject choice I madeHarley Higgins
On his work placement at Aggreko’s Dumbarton base he spent time in different sections of the workshop. His success means he is now held up by the college as the ‘gold standard’ learner for the next generation of Foundation Apprentices.
Harley said: “A Foundation Apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to experience the workplace and get involved in it, which was invaluable.
“Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship opened my eyes to the opportunities that are available and helped me develop relevant skills and knowledge.
“Being able to talk about my work placement through my Foundation Apprenticeship gave me the edge when I applied for my Modern Apprenticeship. A Foundation Apprenticeships was the best subject choice I made.”
Fresh ideas for business
Harley says the Foundation Apprenticeship boosted his time management, teamwork and communication skills. He gave an online presentation about Foundation Apprenticeships at a recruitment evening and took questions from viewers.
Aggreko Manufacturing Trainer Paul McGarry said: “Apprentices bring massive value to the business - they bring fresh ideas and we mould them into the perfect engineers for Aggreko.
“Harley has a real passion for engineering and clearly has a bright future ahead of him.”
West College Scotland Senior Administrator for Foundation Apprenticeships Ashleigh Bonnar said: “Harley’s confidence has really grown as a result of doing the Foundation Apprenticeship and he learned valuable life and work skills.”
Foundation Apprenticeships provide school pupils with the skills employers need, offering industry insight to gain a work-based learning qualification at the same level as a Higher. There are 12 Foundation Apprenticeship subjects at SCQF level 6 and a pilot programme of Foundation Apprenticeships at SCQF Levels 4 and 5 are for S3-S6 pupils.
Harley’s achievements led to him winning the Foundation Apprentice of the Year category, sponsored by the College Development Network, at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards.
Scottish Apprenticeship Awards
Read about all the winners and find out how to watch the awards show