Investing in Young Talent: The Impact of Foundation Apprenticeships
As we mark Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2026, it’s an opportunity to reflect on the real value of Foundation Apprenticeships not only for young people, but for the organisations that support them.
At VisitAberdeenshire, we are proud to host Foundation Apprentices through North East Scotland College (NESCol), and this year marks the third consecutive year we have supported the programme. Designed as a blend of school, college and work-based learning, Foundation Apprenticeships provide meaningful, hands-on experience while pupils continue their studies.
This year, we have welcomed Amelie Robertson into our Tourism Development team and Oliver Raine into our Marketing team.
Foundation Apprenticeships are about genuine contribution, not observation. Both pupils have been embedded within live projects, gaining insight into how strategy translates into delivery across tourism development and destination marketing.
Reflecting on his experience so far, Oliver shared:
“One thing I didn’t expect is that the work I'm given is very involved with the campaigns that others are concurrently working on. When I first joined, I thought I would be working on separate tasks, but I’m gratefully given tasks that are helpful for the team's current projects. I think this makes my efforts feel worthwhile as I know that I’m contributing to the team.”
Amelie also highlighted the support she has received within the workplace:
“An unexpected part of my placement has been how invested people have been in my work. I thought I would just be given work and that would be it. But I get meetings about how I’m doing and get checked up on from time to time, which is really helpful if I don’t really understand something and makes sure that I keep up with my work.”
Their reflections capture what makes Foundation Apprenticeships so valuable. For young people, they build confidence, workplace awareness and clarity about future pathways. For organisations, they introduce fresh perspectives, strengthen links with education, and support long-term talent development.
Programmes like those delivered by NESCol rely on collaboration between educators and employers. By providing meaningful placements, organisations contribute to a stronger regional skills pipeline while gaining enthusiastic, capable young people who are eager to learn and contribute.
As Apprenticeship Week shines a spotlight on work-based learning, I would encourage other employers to consider engaging with Foundation Apprenticeships. The benefits extend well beyond a single placement they help shape the future workforce of our region.
We are proud of the contribution Amelie and Oliver have made during their time with us, and equally proud to support the next generation of talent.
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