Renfrewshire Council

Apprenticeships are paid jobs offering certificated vocational training and help you build the experience and skills employers want to see, setting you up for a bright future.

Read more about the different apprenticeships we offer and contact our Invest in Renfrewshire team on 0300 300 1180 if you'd like any more information about apprenticeships in Renfrewshire.

Apprenticeships.Scot has lots of information about the different types of apprenticeships in Scotland and all the opportunities available.

On this page:

• Foundation Apprenticeships
• Modern Apprenticeships
• Graduate Apprenticeships

Foundation Apprenticeships

If you are at school, then a Foundation Apprenticeship is a great choice to gain industry insight and a qualification while in S5 or S6.

Foundation Apprenticeships are designed in partnership with employers and you will learn essential skills in the workplace, get a head start towards a Modern Apprenticeship or other job and complete a recognised qualification equivalent to a Higher.

Consider a Foundation Apprenticeship when you are making your subject choices in S4, S5 and S6. Read up about the different options then speak to your parents, careers advisor and guidance teachers when making your subject choices.

Foundation Apprenticeships in Renfrewshire are offered in partnership with West College Scotland.

You can see the different options on the college Foundation Apprenticeship web pages.

Modern Apprenticeships

What a Modern Apprenticeship is

Modern Apprenticeships are mainly for people aged 16 to 24 who've left school, but many apprenticeships are open to people of all ages and backgrounds. It takes from one to four years to complete.

As an apprentice, you:

• work with us at the Council or with a local business
• complete an individual training plan 
• get relevant qualifications either in the workplace or at college.

More than 90% of our Modern Apprentices go onto full-time employment.

Who can apply for a Modern Apprenticeship

To be eligible for one of our Modern Apprenticeships, you 

• must live in Renfrewshire
• preferably be aged between 16 and 24
• have the qualifications or skills for that apprenticeship - these are detailed in the apprenticeship adverts.

If you don't have the qualifications or skills required, we will consider your application if you have an appropriate equivalent qualification or practical work experience.

Modern Apprenticeships with Renfrewshire Council

You can apply for these Modern Apprenticeships with us:

• Business and Administration - applications are open throughout the year with various start points
• Horticulture - applications open in June 2024 and apprenticeships start in September 2024
• Children and Young People (Early Years) - applications open in Autumn 2024 and apprenticeships start in January 2025
• Construction trades - applications open in March 2024 and apprenticeships start in late August 2024

We will also have Modern Apprenticeships in Housing, Youth Work and Regulatory Services coming later in 2024.  

You can search and apply for Modern Apprenticeships on the Apprenticeships.Scot website.

Graduate Apprenticeships

A Graduate Apprenticeship allows you to study towards a relevant degree while you are working in your current job.

You'll spend most of your time learning relevant skills on the job and will also be a student at a university. You can read more about Graduate Apprenticeships in Scotland and details on how to apply.

Graduate Apprenticeships are available to our Council staff and most are offered through Glasgow Caledonian University and the University of the West of Scotland. There's no upper age limit to apply and we offer access to degree programmes in subjects such as accountancy, business management, civil engineering, quantity surveying, artificial intelligence & data science, cyber security and early learning & childcare.

To apply for a Graduate Apprenticeship, you must be working in the same field as the course you would like to apply for. You will also need to have the support and mentorship of your service.

Applications normally open early in the year with courses starting in September. Our staff can email Eddie Simpson at eddie.simpson@renfrewshire.gov.uk for more information and guidance on how to apply.