- 36 pupils from five Aberdeenshire academies are taking part in the programme
- The first Foundation Apprenticeship of its kind gives young people hands-on experience of Scotland’s renewable energy sector
- Remote working allows pupils in rural communities to access industry experience and explore future careers in renewable energy
36 young people in Aberdeenshire have the opportunity to develop the skills needed for careers in Scotland’s growing renewable energy sector, thanks to a new work placement launched by Vattenfall, a leading European energy company. The students across five Academies in Huntly, Banff, Kemnay, Portlethen and Alford will form the inaugural cohort benefiting from the programme, offering first-hand experience of Scotland’s renewable sector while completing their SCQF Level 6 Foundation Apprenticeship in Business Skills (equivalent to a Higher).
The bespoke work placement, formally assessed through industry-standard SVQ units, introduces pupils to the business, commercial and operational aspects of the renewable energy sector, focussed on the onshore wind industry and the career opportunities it offers.
The course has been developed in a partnership between Vattenfall, Aberdeenshire Council, work placement provider StartUp Sherpas, education specialist Quest (Scotland) and The Gordon Schools in Huntly, to connect classroom learning with the workplace and give pupils a practical understanding of how renewable energy projects are developed and delivered.
The programme will mirror remote working to help address the geographical challenges for students living in rural communities to access work placement opportunities.
Kerry Birse, Local Liaison Officer for Clashindarroch II at Vattenfall, says,
“Scotland’s transition to renewable energy will create exciting opportunities for young people, but we need to make sure they can see those opportunities and have the skills and confidence to take them.
One of the aims in the design of this apprenticeship is to give pupils across Aberdeenshire the chance to see beyond the traditional idea of what a career in renewable energy might be. There are opportunities across engineering and construction, of course, but also in project management, commercial roles, communications, environmental work, finance and many other areas.”
Kathy Walker, Co-Founder and CEO of StartUp Sherpas, says,
“Working alongside Vattenfall and our education partners, we have developed a bespoke online toolkit which provides a remote working environment for the pupils taking the course. This programme offers young people across Aberdeenshire a unique opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world industry experience, removing those barriers in allowing employers to work closely with remote Aberdeenshire schools where in-person placements are historically difficult to establish.
It’s exactly the type of partnership that helps prepare young people for the current world of work and gives them the confidence to explore new career pathways.”
Alan Johnston, Deputy Head Teacher from The Gordon Schools, says,
“Our pupils are among those taking part in this programme. In enabling pupils to work remotely just like their colleagues do, Vattenfall are helping us to show what can be done.
The Foundation Apprenticeship provides a recognised qualification alongside valuable employability skills, whilst giving pupils the opportunity to learn more about a vitally important and growing industry.”
Mary O’Brien, DYW/Foundation Apprenticeship Strategic Development Officer for Aberdeenshire Council, says,
“The new approach to the Foundation Apprenticeship in Business Skills is designed to help build a pipeline of future talent for Scotland’s renewable energy industry while ensuring young people across Aberdeenshire are well placed to benefit from the economic and career opportunities created by the transition to renewable energy.
The latest data shows that Foundation Apprenticeships are having a truly remarkable impact on student attainment, while improving attendance, engagement and confidence. All in all they make pupils feel more positive about their future.
As Scotland continues to expand its renewable energy industry, the FA programme aims to help address issues such as rurality and build a pipeline of future talent while ensuring local young people are well placed to benefit from emerging career opportunities close to home. The apprentices can progress to Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships and the whole system is a central part of Scotland’s overall workforce and skills’ development strategy.
The Foundation Apprenticeship is one of a number of initiatives being supported by Vattenfall as part of its commitment to investing in skills, education and long-term opportunities to help communities across Scotland thrive”.
Laura Mason, Director of Quest (Scotland), says,
“This model is really exciting and represents the type of work practice of many of today’s businesses, with remote and hybrid working becoming very prevalent.
The digital platform pupils use will host the tasks they are set, allowing documented evidence to be generated for the Qualifications Scotland Exam Board and, ultimately, course completion.”
Finlay Donald-Bruce, one of the participating pupils from Kemnay Academy, adds,
“Working with Vattenfall has been really enjoyable so far, it has given me a much better understanding of the renewable industry and what a career would look like in this sector. I’m particularly excited to learn more about the community benefit funds and how wind farms benefit local communities.”