School Links 2013/2014
Through the School College Links Programme Aberdeen College offers a range of courses to school pupils in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire. These courses are available to school age pupils as part of their normal school timetable and offer an opportunity to gain a valuable SQA or City and Guilds Qualification whilst experiencing a different learning experience.
"Skills for Work" courses have been designed by the Scottish Qualifications Authority to enable school age pupils to develop knowledge and skills which will help to prepare them for the world of work. Skills for Work Courses are different from other vocational provision because they focus on generic employability skills needed for success in the workplace. The courses offer opportunities for learners to acquire these critical generic employability skills through a variety of practical experiences that are linked to a particular vocational area such as construction, hairdressing, hospitality etc.
Skills for Work Courses help provide young people with good opportunities to develop their self–confidence. They also aim to provide a very positive learning experience. For many young people, an early chance to work on practical skills that relate directly to the world of work will provide real benefits to their overall educational programme.
The range of Skills for Work Courses available to school pupils varies slightly in each Local Authority.
Aberdeenshire pupils can access the following courses delivered in College on a Wednesday:
- Skills for Work Engineering Intermediate 1
- Skills for Work Energy Intermediate 2
- City and Guilds Award in Automotive Vehicle Maintenance
- Skills for Work Construction Crafts Intermediate 1
- Skills for Work Early Education and Childcare Intermediate 1
- Skills for Work Hairdressing Intermediate 1
Aberdeen City pupils can access the following courses delivered in College through the City Campus programme on either Monday and Wednesday afternoons, or Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
- Skills for Work Engineering Intermediate 1
- Skills for Work Energy Intermediate 2
- City and Guilds Award in Automotive Vehicle Maintenance
- Skills for Work Construction Crafts Intermediate 1
- City and Guilds Beauty Therapy
- Skills for Work Hairdressing Intermediate 1
For further information specifically on "Skills for Work Awards" please see the SQA Website.
Curriculum Enhancement
A number of schools in both Local Authority areas have arranged for Aberdeen College to deliver a selection of Social Science Highers and Intermediate 2 awards. These courses are generally taught to Senior School pupils within the school by a College Lecturer as part of the normal school timetable. To find out if this option is available in your school please contact the school directly.
College Experience 2013
In addition to the courses outlined above, which operate throughout the school year, College Experience Taster Courses are also provided by the College during May and June. These courses last 2 days and offer pupils considering an application to College in the following year an opportunity to find out more about the range of courses available at Aberdeen College and what life as a student in Aberdeen College is really like.
View the College Experience Brochure here
View the Application Form here
Supported Learning
College also provides a School Link course designed specifically for pupils with additional learning needs who are in their final year of school, to support the transition from school to College.
Further information relating to all Schools Link Courses available at Aberdeen College can be obtained from your School or from the appropriate Local Education Authority.
View the School Link Leaflet here
Full information on what is available to individual schools is available via the School College Links Officer at Aberdeen College or via your Secondary School.