02 March 2020

Apprenticeship partnership with NHS Grampian goes from strength-to-strength

Aberdeenshire Council has increased the number of Foundation Apprenticeship opportunities it delivers to over 200 during the last academic year, with the help of much needed partners including NHS Grampian.

Foundation Apprenticeships provide work-based learning opportunities for young people while they are still at school, supporting skills demands from employers and creating pathways into critical occupations for the Scottish economy. 

Taken over one or two years by senior pupils during their senior phase, completion of a Foundation Apprenticeship leads to a qualification at the same level as a Higher.

Aberdeenshire Council is currently offering Foundation Apprenticeships across eight subject areas, including one in Health and Social Care. NHS Grampian is currently hosting 16 Foundation Apprentices at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI) and other NHS facilities. The young people taking part are gaining experience in a real life working environment in the NHS as well as gaining an academic qualification. The course is proving popular among pupils, parents, staff and patients alike. 

Cllr Gillian Owen, Chair of Education and Children’s Services Committee for Aberdeenshire Council explained: “We are ahead of the curve here in Aberdeenshire; we’re proud to be delivering so many Foundation Apprenticeships by building capacity to support these qualifications within schools as well as developing strong partnership links. We couldn’t do it without our partners and we would like to say a big thank you to everyone – including our colleagues at NHS Grampian – who is helping to make our programme such a success.”

NHS Grampian’s Learning and Development Manager, Douglas Andrew, who is coordinating the apprenticeship programme at ARI added: “The delivery of foundation apprenticeships is an integral part of nurturing the young workforce and we’re very pleased to be one of Aberdeenshire Council’s key partners. Our young apprentices are a hugely positive addition to our busy teams and we look forward to welcoming many more in the future.”

Young people who are interested in studying for a foundation apprenticeship should discuss this with their guidance teacher and can find lots more information at: www.apprenticeships.scot/foundation Employers can also use this website to register interest in supporting these programmes. If you would like to find out more about supporting placements, which are often just a half-day per week, please email Andrew.Ritchie@aberdeenshire.gov.uk