Aberdeenshire Council has developed an extensive and successful Foundation Apprenticeship programme in our schools. Aberdeenshire Council’s FA delivery model was set up not only to achieve the FA qualification (as vital as this is) but also to address several key Scottish Government priorities. The Council’s FA programme has had a transformational and sustainable impact on many 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.

Working with key partners, such as employers, colleges, universities and training providers, FAs have had a very positive and significant transformational impact on the outcomes, opportunities and life chances for our young people. 

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, with continuous assessment throughout the year.  This requires independent learning and self-discipline. The SVQ element is usually delivered through a work placement with a local company.