Industry guides on definition of Scottish Apprenticeships
Scotland’s apprenticeship system has been further strengthened by enhanced principles and guidance.
With employer support from the Scottish Apprenticeships Advisory Boad (SAAB), the Scottish Government established a comprehensive set of principles and supporting guidance to define what an apprenticeship is in Scotland.
The principles and guidance ensure continued recognition of robust, industry-led, and quality-assured apprenticeships.
Key principles and guidance include employed status for Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships; demand-led development; and equality, diversity and inclusion.
Jen Davies is Chair of Apprenticeship Approvals Group (AAG) and strategic workforce development manager at Scottish Power Energy Networks.
She said: “Strong employer oversight of apprenticeship governance is essential to maintaining quality and consistency across the system.
“The clear and robust guidance now provided through these updated principles enables the Apprenticeship Approvals Group to apply an industry stamp of approval that signals excellence and builds confidence for employers, learners, and stakeholders alike.”
Leonardo University Liaison & Emerging Technologies Manager, Allan Colquhoun, said: “The publication of the Definition of Apprenticeships with revised guidance marks the culmination of the efforts of a Working Group led by employers involving many stakeholders.
“The Definition of Apprenticeships enhances the guidance to the principles established in 2019 which underpin the strength and ambition of the Scottish apprenticeship system.”
The 14 principles set out what apprenticeships are what differentiates them from other training programmes, work-based learning or vocational qualifications and training methods, and the processes by which they are developed and assured across Scotland.
The principles provide clarity and consistency for stakeholders involved in the creation, approval, and delivery of apprenticeships.
They serve as a foundation for the Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board (SAAB) and its associated groups, including the Apprenticeship Approvals Group (AAG), to guide approvals and maintain high standards.
By clearly defining apprenticeships, these principles help ensure skills are transferable across the UK, support national priorities like Fair Work, sustainability, and inclusion, and reduce the risk of misclassification for funding.