Foundation Apprenticeship

Zayan Ahmed, an S6 pupil at Boroughmuir High School in Edinburgh, recently completed a 2-year Foundation Apprenticeship Scheme with Year 1 comprising classwork at Edinburgh College and Year 2 entailing a placement at Allied Surveyors Scotland office in Edinburgh’s West End.

Under the Foundation Apprenticeship Scheme, young people spend time out of school at college or with a local employer and complete the course alongside their other subjects such as National 5s and Highers. During his time at Allied Surveyors, Zayan was mentored by Aisha Akram, an Associate Director and Chartered Surveyor with the firm, which has 30 offices across Scotland. Zayan is going on to study Real Estate Surveying at  Edinburgh Napier University to further his ambitions to embark on a career as a Chartered Surveyor.

Mac McLoughlin, Employer Engagement Officer at Edinburgh College, who run the Foundation Apprenticeship Scheme, explained

“Foundation Apprenticeships have been developed to meet the needs of industry and are built on the partnership between employers, learning providers, schools and young people. Employers play an integral role in supporting the programme and as Zayan’s placement took place over 2 afternoons per week for a complete academic year, this was a substantial commitment on behalf of both Aisha and Allied Surveyors Scotland. Aisha was very helpful and extremely professional throughout.”