Invest in Scotland's future with apprenticeships
Gain access to the most powerful talent and learning network in Scotland. As Scotland’s leading provider for technical, digital, and data apprenticeships, we provide businesses in Scotland with the talent they need to grow.
Who we work with
Why hiring an apprentice is a strategic decision
We believe the future belongs to organisations able to learn, master, and apply new skills – whether by upskilling existing staff or bringing in fresh talent. Apprenticeships can do both.
- Prepare for the future with skilled employees who bring fresh ideas and grow with your business.
- Immerse apprenticeships into your company culture from the start.
- Equip existing employees with the skills your business needs to succeed – reducing staff turnover.
- Boost capabilities - hiring an apprentice can increase productivity by £10,280 per year on average.*
*Skills Development Scotland
How apprenticeships can work for your business
Unsure about the value apprentices bring? Hear what one of our employers has to say.
Learning to suit your needs
Your team members aren't carbon copies of one another, and their training shouldn't be either. Our learner-centric platform makes it easy to adjust our certification paths to your needs.
Bring in new talent
With new opportunities emerging across Scotland every month, including jobs in data and AI that didn't exist five years ago, there is huge potential for apprenticeships to deliver on-the-job training in valuable skills.
Upskill your workforce
Apprenticeships are not just for school leavers, they allow employers to boost in-house skills on programmes that seamlessly transition into the workplace.
Our unique delivery method
Our award-winning training format is designed to be learner-centric. With a blend of online learning and tutor check-ins, the course content is related to your work environment, enabling every QA apprentice to take ownership of their learning experience.
Safeguarding and support
You can find everything you need to support your apprentices including guidance on progress monitoring, wellbeing, safeguarding and information on our feedback process on our Scottish Apprenticeship Employer Portal.
Our apprenticeship programmes
Our apprenticeship programmes reflect the most sought-after skills in the Scottish economy. Our team will help you select the programme and the training best aligned to your business needs. We offer programmes in a range of digital specialisms, organised into levels.
Level 6 apprenticeship programmes
How do I employ an apprentice in Scotland
QA has decades of experience in connecting organisations with the right talent to fill their skills gaps.
Choose a programme that aligns to your business needs
QA will work alongside you to identify which apprenticeship best suits your requirements.
Connect with QA to deliver your training
We’re experts in helping you and your apprentice get the most out of their training.
Once you’ve selected the perfect apprenticeship programme to fit your needs, we take care of the rest.
Let QA advertise your apprenticeship position
Advertising is a time-consuming internal task, but don’t worry - we’re experts at finding talent with the right aptitude and attitude, who will be a great culture fit for your organisation.
Take a look at our Recruitment Services Guide and let us take care of it all.
Interview the best candidates
Our expert candidate attraction team take care of sourcing and screening candidates to find the best fit for your business.
Contact our team
Let our experts help you achieve your skills goals, contact our team for a consultation.
What our clients have to say
“We’ve been blown away with the quality of the candidates that have been put in front of us. If these candidates are representative of the level of the capabilities that are coming out of the schools in Scotland I think we are in an extremely good place as a nation and a tech nation for the future.”
“Apprenticeships are a good opportunity for individuals looking to make a career in IT. We see apprenticeships as investing in young people. We like the idea of growing our own talent within the company. This gives them a good grounding on learning, and gives us time to make sure they are the right people for our company.”
“We took a bit of persuading with apprenticeships initially, but we are sold on the idea now and will continue to do so. If any employer has doubts, I would say don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.”
“We have been using the apprenticeship scheme since 2009, and the young apprentices we have hired have brought a change to the culture with their enthusiasm and a different approach, which is critical to any company that has a modern-looking view. Modern apprentices are not about cheap labour; they're about really good talent.”
Let's talk
Start your digital transformation journey today
Contact us today via the form or give us a call.
If you're an individual interested in starting an apprenticeship, find out more here
Frequently asked questions
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a modern, hands-on way to train for an exciting digital career. Apprentices are paid jobs and combine real work experience with classroom and virtual learning.
In Scotland, there are plenty of opportunities to become an apprentice in a variety of digital specialisms, including digital marketing, digital helpdesk support, software engineering, business administration, project management, data analytics, and more.
How are Scottish apprenticeships funded?
Apprenticeships are funded by the Scottish government and administered by Skills Development Scotland through direct contracts between employers and training providers. As the top training provider for digital and tech apprenticeships in Scotland, QA provides training for around 1,000 apprentices per year.
Can employers influence apprenticeship training?
Employers significantly influence the design and priorities of Scotland’s skills, training, and employability system.
The Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board (SAAB), led by employers and industry representatives, ensures that apprenticeships align with industry needs, fair work principles, and job opportunities.
What are the benefits of hiring an apprentice in Scotland?
There are many benefits of hiring an apprentice, including government funding, the ability to build your talent pipeline and injecting a learning culture into your business. Here are the top five reasons to hire an apprentice into your business.
How much should I pay my apprentice?
The average salary for a technical or digital apprentice in Scotland is between £14,000 and £16,00 per annum.
With the average post-degree student debt in Scotland running at £15,000, an apprenticeship paying £15,000 pa is an extremely attractive proposition for young people considering their future careers. Download our salary brochure for more information
Will QA help me select the correct apprentice candidates?
We also support in the hiring process, simplifying it for both employers and candidates alike.
Take a look at our Recruitment Services brochure.
Do apprentices get paid holiday?
Yes, apprentices are entitled to paid holiday, just like other salaried employees. The amount of holiday can vary depending on the training provider and employer.
Which locations do we most often have opportunities in?
Apprenticeship opportunities are found not only in the main cities like Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen, but right across Scotland in all regions from Fife to Ayrshire, Highlands to the Borders.
How does QA support employers?
QA's Scotland Apprenticeships Employers portal contains all the information you need to guide and support your and your apprentices through their programme, including guidance on progress monitoring, wellbeing, safeguarding, and information on our feedback process.
How are Scottish apprenticeships assessed?
Apprentices are supported throughout their journey with regular check ins every five weeks. Apprenticeships with QA average 10-18 months and on successful completion candidates receive a nationally recognised qualification at SCQF Level 6 or 8.