06/03/2026
🌟“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.
