THREE East Lothian students have gained an insight into the world of finance through a nationwide scheme.

Pupils from Dunbar Grammar School, North Berwick High School and Preston Lodge High School have spent lockdown preparing for the world of work by undertaking foundation apprenticeships in providing financial services with Social Investment Scotland (SIS).

Rachel Miller, who attends Preston Lodge; Dunbar Grammar pupil Abbie Chisholm; and Emma Roy, of North Berwick High, have been working towards the qualification for the last 18 months alongside their regular schoolwork.

They have had to balance the demands of the apprenticeship programme with online learning during the pandemic.

Foundation apprenticeships were launched in 2016 to help S5 and S6 pupils gain work experience while still at school, with the qualification equivalent to an SQA Higher.

They are offered to senior school pupils as part of the curriculum when making their subject choices.

The pupils have already achieved a National Progression Award after completing the classroom-style learning segment of the course, which was delivered by Limelight Careers on behalf of East Lothian Council.

A large part of the programme usually involves a work-based placement; however, given the work-from-home guidance, many of the placements with financial services providers have been put on hold.

SIS stepped in to offer the pupils an opportunity to join the team virtually.

Emma, 16, enjoyed the experience. She said: “Over the last year, regular schoolwork and exams have been so up in the air, but it’s been reassuring to have the apprenticeship programme going on at the same time, which will give me a formal qualification.

“I’ve developed my knowledge of finance throughout the programme but have also had the opportunity to build confidence and practice other skills like teamwork and communication.”

SIS was one of the first financial organisations in Scotland to support this kind of foundation apprenticeship for school pupils.

In the last two years, the organisation has welcomed six pupils to its team as part of their learning experience, supporting them on their journey into employment.

Lindsay Wake, head of impact at SIS, said: “We’ve been impressed with the pupils’ resilience and willingness to learn, despite the uncertainty of the world around them, and we hope to see them continue on to exciting and rewarding careers in the financial services sector.”