Graduate Apprenticeship Early Years

Job Description This post has been developed to encourage new entrants to move into the early learning and childcare sector. Working in this sector is hugely rewarding as it makes a real difference to children’s lives, developing their skills and improving outcomes for children and their families. If you enjoy spending time with young children and you’re passionate about helping them grow and learn, then you could have what it takes to work in Early Learning and Childcare. We have 4 opportunities which would be suitable for: – School leavers – Career changers (adults who wish to change their career or return to work) – Those with a Foundation Apprenticeship in Social Services (Children & Young People). The Graduate Apprenticeship Programme has been put together in partnership with Skills Development Scotland, SSSC, Aberdeenshire Council and the University of the Highlands and Islands. This is an innovative and new route to join an Early Learning and Childcare Team and work towards gaining practitioner status. The programme will enable you to achieve the new qualification of BA in Early Learning and Childcare (SCQF 9), while in employment and gain practitioner status within 3 years. Apprentices will be expected to attend University one day per week during term time. This will usually be through access to the University’s Virtual Learning Environment. This role will be a combination of experiential learning through working in a specific nursery setting, and also day release to carry out academic studies and gain your degree qualification. This post is full-time (36.25 hours per week) for a fixed term period of 36 months and will be a term time contract located at the relevant school (please see terms and conditions attached to job advert). Requirements Early Learning and Childcare Setting You will be working as part of an Early Years team within either Kellands (Inverurie) , Macduff, New Pitsligo or Kinellar (Blackburn) school nursery and will contribute to the development and wellbeing of young children.? You should have a positive and nurturing approach and the enthusiasm and commitment to work toward a BA in Early Learning and Childcare (SCQF Level 9) within 36 months. University You will study with Highlands and Islands University, Inverness, utilising a combination of on-line and face to face learning. You will be given 1 day per week for your academic studies. If you do need to attend university in person for lectures then travel will be paid by the Local Authority. Attendance at a three day face to face induction hosted by Inverness college from 27th – 29th August 2019 is mandatory, accommodation and travel will be paid by Aberdeenshire Council. Interviews for this post will be held the week beginning 24 June 2019 and due to time constraints, no alternative dates will be offered. This interview will also include a short practical exercise. It should be noted that the successful applicant will be expected to start their qualification at year one regardless of any existing qualifications. Day release will be given for 1 day per week but any other study will be carried out in the employees own time. You will be given support from a workplace and academic mentor to support you with all aspects of this role. In order to qualify for the appropriate funding from Skills Development Scotland you must be living in Scotland for the duration of the apprenticeship with a Scottish post code and be over 16 years old and subject to standard employment law (you will need to provide documentation to prove this is the case if you are successful). If you do not meet this criteria we cannot consider you for any of these roles. Responsibilities Informal enquiries to Aberdeenshire Council, Anne Robertsonor Deborah Bruce.  Alice Mongiello can be contacted to discuss the Highlands and Islands University course overview which is attached telandor by email on This post is regulated work with children and/or protected adults under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. The preferred candidate will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme update check.? Where an individual has spent a continuous period of 3 months or more out with the UK in the last 5 years, an Overseas Criminal Record Check will be required. You will be required to provide this check. A confirmed offer of employment and commencement in the post will be subject to the outcome of both these pre-employment checks being deemed satisfactory. This post has a minimum requirement of 2 references. One of these must be your current or most recent employer/educational establishment. A Privacy Notice giving you information on the data we hold on you, what we do with that data, who we share your data with and your rights under GDPR is available  here.   Alternatively we can send a copy if you ask us to by emailing