Appendix 1
NC Electrical Engineering Scholarship 2013-14
Glasgow City Council Education, Glasgow Kelvin College and several business
partners collaborated to provide an innovative pathway into a range of engineering
occupations for S5/S6 pupils.
Ten young people were presented for the National Certificate (NC) in Electrical
Engineering. It was described as a scholarship programme as it involved a school
based element, a college based element and an extended work experience element.
This qualification consists of 12 units at SCQF Level 5 (72 credit points). This is
comparable to three National 5 level qualifications at 24 credit points each.
The qualification was delivered jointly by Glasgow Kelvin College and Springburn
Academy and St Mungos Academy. The young people remained on their own school
roll and were drawn from four schools in the North East of the city.
School
St Andrews
Springburn
St Mungos
Smithycroft
Year Group
S6
S5
S6
S6
Numbers of candidates
1
1
3
5
Students attended college one day per week and work placements for one further day
per week. Employers who offered work placements were Network Rail and Amey.
Scottish Power, Scottish and Southern Energy and Scottish Water provided site visits
and introduction to the workplace sessions, delivered by industry experts.
Attainment
Nine out of the ten pupils successfully achieved the full National Certificate Award.
In addition, all pupils achieved a pass mark the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training
Trust (SECTT) aptitude test courtesy of AMEY.
The National Certificate itself comprised of 12 units at SCQF levels 5/6.
Electrical Principles
Fundamental Electrical Systems
Electrical Testing and Measurement
Electrical Wiring Skills
Safe Working Practices
Engineering Project
Fundamental Electronics
Applications of Programmable Logic Controllers
Communication Core Skill Unit
Mathematics: Craft 1
Mathematics: Craft 2
Engineering: Using Information Technology
Pupil
Pupil 1
Pupil 2
Pupil 3
Pupil 4
Pupil 5
Pupil 6
Pupil 7
Pupil 8( achieved 10 of the 12 NC Units )
Pupil 9
Pupil 10
Additional Qualifications Obtained
English Int 1- Grade C
English Higher- Grade C
Leadership Higher- Grade C; Safe Road
Users – Unit Pass
Safe Road Users- Unit Pass
Safe Road Users- Unit Pass
Safe Road Users- Unit Pass
Chemistry – Nat 5
Enterprise Activity– Int 1, Business and
Commerce- Int1
-
One candidate from Smithycroft School received an award from Kelvin College for
outstanding achievement.
Some of the young people had to make a choice between the most suitable Modern
Apprenticeship or an advanced full time learning course from multiple offers.
Three students have confirmed Modern Apprenticeship opportunities. One has
accepted a Modern Apprenticeship offer from Scottish Southern Energy. This young
person was selected from over 600 applicants.
The young person who did not achieve the full National Certificate award has been
accepted on to a Modern Apprenticeship.
Six candidates have accepted offers on a two year long HND Electrical Engineering
course. These courses have progression routes on to degrees at Higher Education
Institutes, with the capacity for year 2 entry, on completion of identified core units.
Candidates can also opt to leave full time study after one year, and obtain a Higher
National Certificate qualification.
One student has still to confirm his onward destination.
Continuous Improvement
The partnership model of delivery will be enhanced further during session 2014/15.
16 young people have been offered places for the engineering scholarship programme.
Nine schools are now participating - an increase of five schools since last year.
Building on last year’s experience the recommended prior learning experience has
been adjusted. Pupils must now have prior experience in one or more of the
following preferred subjects.
Mathematics National 4/ 5 or Mathematics Intermediate 1
Physics National 4/5 or Physics Intermediate 1
Technological Studies National 4/5 or Technological Studies Intermediate 1
Skills for Work Engineering at Intermediate 1
The combination of National Certificate and other SQA awards offered to candidates
is being explored further. Experience shows that young people must have strengths in
the core skills of mathematics, problem solving and scientific specialisms as these are
fundamental to successful completion of relevant qualifications leading to
employment opportunities within the engineering sector.
One of the major challenges was timetabling, i.e. ensuring that the college, school and
work experience all balanced to provide a full learning experience for young people.
The possibility of the industry recognised Performance Engineering Operative
certificate being offered as part of a potential Foundation Apprenticeship model is
being investigated with Skills Development Scotland for delivery in 2015/16.
Feedback from young people has contributed towards changes in the way the courses
are marketed to individuals and parents, highlighting the valuable contribution of
employers and work based learning experiences.
Feedback from employers has influenced changes in the scheduling of work based
learning components and the delivery of NC units by college staff. Ongoing support
to parallel SQA school delivered elements will be further developed in forthcoming
courses. This may include facilities to offer contextualised learning expertise to
school and college colleagues from employer experts.
The number of employers offering work placements, site visits and learning expertise
has increased. Businesses have been recommended by our key employers, building on
successful relationships and expanding the network of supporters and potential
recruiters of young people.
We will continue to develop new pathways for session 2014-15 is focusing on school,
college and work based learning for Senior Phase pupils.
Relevant industry areas include growth sectors such as hospitality, food and drink and
engineering as well as sectors where school leaver entry level opportunities persist
including construction and business admin.
Potential developments include the introduction of college taster and familiarisation
sessions for Senior Phase pupils during the months of April- June. These sessions will
include invitations to parents to hear about recruitment and selection methods, labour
market trends, entry points to occupations and industry sectors. Recruitment for
onward national certificates, national vocational qualifications and potential
Foundation Apprenticeship models will begin around Easter 2015.
Once candidates from 2013/14 have settled into their onward destinations, we plan to
interview the young people to illustrate their unique learning journeys. This
information will be used as publicity material to support ongoing recruitment for
current and future pupils, parents and teachers.