A Career Pathways Programme Improving Outcomes for Young People and Employers
Aberdeenshire Council has developed an extensive and successful Foundation Apprenticeship programme in our schools. Aberdeenshire Council’s FA delivery model was set up, not just to achieve the FA qualification (as vital as this is) but also to address a number of key Scottish Government priorities. The Council’s FA programme has had a transformational and sustainable impact on a number of Scottish Government key priorities such as;
- Raising Attainment and Closing the Poverty Related Attainment Gap,
- Improved pupil attendance and engagement
- Meaningful employer engagement through curriculum co-creation and delivery
- Development of skills (meta-skills)
- Enhanced and effective mentoring
- GIRFEC, equity and promotion of equalities
- More aligned post school pathways and positive destinations and workforce planning.
Foundation Apprenticeships provide a highly regarded qualification towards university, college entrance or a Modern Apprenticeship enabling young people to stand out from the crowd in interviews for jobs within a competitive field. The FA gives pupils a taste of a job sector before they commit fully and builds a considerable portfolio of work-related skills such as organisation, teamwork and communication.
There are two parts to the Foundation Apprenticeship qualification, the NPA (or National Progression Award) and an SVQ (Scottish Vocational Qualification). The NPA is delivered in school over the same amount of time as a Higher via continuous assessments throughout the year. This requires independent learning and self-discipline. The SVQ element is usually delivered through a work placement with a local company.
Strong Outcomes for Aberdeenshire’s Foundation Apprenticeships 2025–26
These results demonstrate how Foundation Apprenticeships are not just ‘like any other senior phase qualification’. As well as developing their essential meta-skills for work, they are helping young people feel more connected, motivated and optimistic about what comes next.
A huge thank you and well done to the employers, delivery staff, training providers and – most importantly – the young people who make this programme such a success.
FA Student Feedback 2025-26
Level 6 – Increased Attendance, Engagement, Confidence & Mental Health
24% of L6 FA students stated that taking the FA had impacted positively on their attendance at school
54% of L6 FA students stated that they felt more engaged in their overall learning as a result of taking the FA
64% of L6 FA students said completing a FA would encourage/encouraged them to stay on at school
82% of L6 FA students said that completing the FA had made them more confident about their futures.
51% of L6 FA students said that completing the FA had a positive impact on their mental health.
Level 4/5 – Increased Attendance, Engagement, Confidence & Mental Health
41% of L4/5 FA students stated that taking the FA had impacted positively on their attendance at school
59% of L4/5 FA students stated that they felt more engaged in their overall learning as a result of taking the FA
50% of L4/5 FA students said completing a FA would encourage/encouraged them to stay on at school
75% of L4/5 FA students said that completing the FA had made them more confident about their futures.
46% of L4/5 FA students said that completing the FA had a positive impact on their mental health.
Behaviour – Parental Feedback
L6 – 13% of parents reported an improvement in behaviour
L4/5 – 48% of parents reported an improvement in behaviour
Enhanced Mentoring for Young People
85% said that the FA mentoring had improved their confidence
- 96% said the FA mentoring had improved their understanding of the workplace
- 86% said the FA mentoring had developed their Meta-skills
- 86% said the FA mentoring had improved their networking by helping to make industry links and connections
- 97% of FAs rated their FA Mentoring as good, very good or excellent.
Parental Feedback 2025-26
Level 6 – Increased Attendance, Engagement, Confidence & Mental Health
20% of L6 parents stated that taking the FA had impacted positively on their young person’s attendance at school
34% of L6 parents stated that their young person felt more engaged in their overall learning as a result of taking the FA
63% of L6 parents said completing a FA would encourage/encouraged their young person to stay on at school
78% of L6 parents said that completing the FA had made their young person more confident about their futures.
63% of L6 parents said that completing the FA had a positive impact on their young person’s mental health.
Level 4/5 – Increased Attendance, Engagement, Confidence & Mental Health
35% of L4/5 parents stated that taking the FA had impacted positively on their young person’s attendance at school
48% of L4/5 parents stated that their young person felt more engaged in their overall learning as a result of taking the FA
71% of L4/5 parents said completing a FA would encourage/encouraged their young person to stay on at school
71% of L4/5 parents said that completing the FA had made their young person more confident about their futures.
74% of L4/5 parents said that completing the FA had a positive impact on their young person’s mental health.
