Foundation Apprenticeships - Aberdeenshire Council

✨ We would like to extend our biggest THANK YOU to all our Employer Partners ✨

As we come to the end of another successful year of Foundation Apprenticeships placements, we would like to wholeheartedly thank all the companies and mentors who have supported our young people across Aberdeenshire. 🎉

Your time, expertise, and professionalism have been invaluable. Thanks to your weekly commitment, many of our learners have achieved a significant qualification and gained real-world experience that will stay with them throughout their careers.

Because of your partnership, our local workforce continues to grow with a new generation of motivated, skilled, and confident young Foundation Apprentices ready for the world of work.

👏 We are incredibly grateful for everything you do and for the positive impact you’ve had on every apprentice who has come through your doors this year.

👏Thank you for your ongoing support—and for helping shape the future talent in the North-East of Scotland.

🎉 Congratulations to Carmen, an S5 student at Peterhead Academy! 🎉

An outstanding achievement – securing the top mark across 3 Aberdeenshire schools in her first professional exam, ACCA FA1 as part of her FA Accountancy Award, a partnership between Peterhead Academy and Aberdeenshire Council FA Team. This is a fantastic demonstration of hard work, focus, and commitment.

Carmen’s success sets a brilliant example and marks an exciting start to her professional journey as an aspiring accountant.

Wishing Carmen every success in her future studies! 🌟

💫 During , three FA Accountancy students from Peterhead Academy had the opportunity to meet and interview David Cruickshank, Deputy President for Scotland for ICAS - The Professional Body of CAs, whilst he was attending a DYW careers event at Maud Primary School, in partnership with Education and Employers' Inspiring the Future initiative and the Foundation Apprenticeships - Aberdeenshire Council Team.

💬 The students explored the key experiences that shaped David’s career, gained advice on how to position themselves for school-leaver apprenticeship opportunities, and discussed the potential impact of AI on the role of chartered accountants over the next 5, 10 and 15 years. The students were an absolute credit to Peterhead Academy and their community and there is no doubt that these conversations mark the start of an important connection with further engagement ahead.

🌟“You can’t be what you can’t see”🌟

Yesterday, Aberdeenshire Council Foundation Apprenticeship facilitated the formal launch of a new partnership with the national charity Education and Employers at Maud School as part of . This collaboration marks a significant step in strengthening Aberdeenshire Council’s long‑term commitment to providing high‑quality career inspiration and pathways for young people across Aberdeenshire.

📢The event, “Inspiring the Future – from Apprentice to CEO,” brought together pupils, apprentices, educators and employers to demonstrate the vital role early exposure to the world of work plays in broadening aspirations and the difference meaningful employer encounters can make.

Maud School provided an especially meaningful setting for the launch, as David Cruickshank (Chair of Trustees at Education and Employers and former Global Chairman of Deloitte) returned to the school he attended until age nine to help introduce the partnership.

👩‍🏫One of the most memorable moments of the day was the unexpected appearance of David’s former Maud Primary Head Teacher, Miss Walker, who still fondly volunteers at Maud School. What a heart-warming reminder of the lasting influence teachers have on their pupils.

Throughout the morning, the Maud pupils were highly engaged, inquisitive and eager to ask thoughtful questions for the adults who joined the event. Their energy captured exactly why this partnership matters: helping young people imagine new possibilities and see themselves in a wide range of future careers.

💭We were also pleased to welcome three Accountancy Apprentices and two Business Skills Apprentices from Peterhead Academy and Mintlaw Academy, who offered valuable insights into Foundation Apprenticeship pathways and provided younger pupils with relatable role models.

🤝Through this new partnership, Aberdeenshire Council is committed to developing a systemic 3–18 career pathways programme, ensuring every child and young person — regardless of their background or location — has the opportunity to meet inspiring volunteers from a wide range of sectors.

🎉A promising beginning to a partnership that will create meaningful opportunities for the next generation.

🌟Our sincere thanks go to David Cruickshank, Provost Judy Whyte, Councillor Anne Simpson, Councillor David Keating, Nick Chambers, Head Teacher Gaynor Steel, Gillian Dow, the team at Maud School, our Foundation Apprentices from Mintlaw Academy and Peterhead Academy, our employer volunteers and partners (Olly Benzecry, Soma Salavati, Colin Black, Karen L. Sinza M., Abbey Thomson, Lorna Atkinson, Claire Yule), Andrew Ritchie, O’Brien, Adelaine Cox, Helen Hendry, Patricia Thompson-Wright and Ali Hynd for contributing to such an inspiring launch event.

The winners have been announced! 🎉

We would like to congratulate our two Foundation Apprentice of the Year 2026 winners:

🏆Level 4/5:
Mitchell Chisman from Turriff Academy currently studying a FA course in Hospitality

🏆Level 6:
Imogen Wood from Mintlaw Academy currently studying a FA course in Children & Young People

Well done! 🎉

Always good to see an employers perspective when it comes to our students experience.

Meet Heidi, another Foundation Apprentice currently fulfilling her placement at Kynnaird Care Home.

Heidi says "When being on placement here at Kynnaird House, I have been able to expand my knowledge and skills within the care sector. That includes being involved in activities with service users which are fun and enjoyable but also have allowed me to build up my confidence when speaking and interacting with service users. Also being able to experience and understand the qualities and skills needed to provide care to suit a service user and their needs. The staff I work alongside are very friendly and are always able to answer any questions I may ask. Overall, my experience being on placement here at Kynnaird has been great. I have learned so much throughout and look forward to coming here each week."

Roselle, Care Home Manager and the team are delighted to have Heidi on placement.

Great work Heidi! 👏👏👏

🌟Check out last year's FA of the Year Award winner for Level 4/5 - Josh Findlay from Kemnay Academy:

Foundation Apprenticeships: Josh Findlay - FA of the Year 2025 for Level 4/5 In this video, we hear from Josh Findlay, Kemnay Academy, who has won this year's FA of the Year Award for Level 4/5 Foundation Apprentices in Aberdeenshire ...