At their core, these programmes are about integration – bringing together academic study and practical experience. 

This benefits both the individuals and Aberdeen by enhancing talent and career development. 

Additionally, the programmes create opportunities for those who were not able to access degree programmes earlier in their lives, promoting inclusion and ensuring that the degrees earned are highly relevant to both individual and organisational needs.  

Peter Yarrow, Head of Learning, explains how academic and practical experience fit the company’s wider talent and recruitment strategy: “From a learning strategy point of view, what’s important about Graduate Apprenticeships – and apprenticeships more widely – is that they’re very much about application. You’re putting your learning into practice."

He continues: "So, in terms of the way these programmes are set up, they really fit with that more modern view of learning and development, which is very much linked to performance.” 

Graduate Apprenticeships create opportunities for colleagues to achieve a degree that’s relevant to their current and future career paths, allowing them to apply their learning immediately.  

The focus in Scotland, where the Graduate Apprenticeships are currently available, includes two key programmes: Data Science and Business Management for Financial Services. These areas reflect both regional priorities and sector demand.  

Other programmes, such as Cybersecurity and Accountancy, are also available – offering a wide range of opportunities to a wide selection of candidates, regardless of age or experience. 

Karla Grady: Learning through doing 

Karla Grady, Business Management Analyst, began her journey on Aberdeen’s Trainee Programme straight out of school, after deciding that University during lockdown wasn’t for her.  

After successfully completing her Trainee Programme at Aberdeen and a brief break from education, Karla’s line manager suggested a Graduate Apprenticeship. A desire to get a degree and learn more about the business and industry appealed to Karla. 

Now partway through the programme, Karla reflects on how the learning is embedded directly into her day-to-day role: “You’re learning – but you’re learning in your actual role. You’re not just picking something up in theory; you’re going on and consolidating it through real work.” 

One module stood out: “One of the modules we did last year was called Business Skills. You learn how to present and how to interview people. For one of the assignments, I had to interview ten people across the business. It gave me insights into other parts of the organisation, and I was able to use that directly in my assignment.” 

Karla continues: “I interviewed colleagues from Finance and HR and used their insights to help shape our internal programmes. This helped me understand what improvements were needed and how to address them. I also wrote about improving our accrual and purchase order processes, which we have since automated. 

I do a lot of HR-related modules, which have been very beneficial in my role. They’ve helped me understand behaviours, management styles, and recruitment processes.” 

Karla credits much of her progress to the people around her: “Everyone I spoke to was really open and helpful. It made a big difference being able to learn from people across the business – not just for the assignment, but for understanding how everything fits together.” 

That openness is part of a wider culture at Aberdeen. Stuart MacLennan, Global Finance COO, and Karla’s manager, explains: “Aberdeen is a very professional environment – by that I mean there are lots of different professional pathways represented across our colleague base, and we’re respectful of those differences. People recognise and value their own development journeys, and that makes them supportive of others. 

So when someone like Karla reaches out to ask for input – whether it’s for an interview or a perspective – people are really open to helping. That’s part of what makes Aberdeen such an encouraging place for development.” 

Kara Millar: Growing in confidence 

Kara Millar, Digital Client Service Analyst, knew early on that traditional classroom learning wasn’t the right fit for her. After finishing school, she joined Aberdeen through the Trainee Programme. 

As well as helping graduates pick up job-specific skills, the programme also inspires and builds real world skills that students can take into the professional environment.  

Beyond the technical skills and academic learning, reflecting on the journey so far, Kara says one of the biggest changes she’s noticed since starting the Graduate Apprenticeship is in herself. The experience has helped her grow in confidence – particularly in how she communicates and engages with others across the business. 

Kara explains how being on the course has impacted her day-to-day encounters: “Not public speaking exactly, but just speaking to people one-to-one – I’d say that’s where I’ve improved the most. It’s built my confidence a bit more.” 

Kyle Pearce, Head of Digital Client Services, and Kara’s mentor and manager, has seen a clear transformation in Kara’s confidence and capability over a short period of time: “There’s been a real step change in her confidence, her ability, and even her leadership. We’ve just had someone new join the team, and Kara has effectively taken the lead on training and supporting them.” 

Kyle goes on to explain how Kara has improved delivery, management and leadership in the team: “Her communication has come on massively – especially her written work. She’s now able to construct and deliver content for others with real clarity, and that’s just in two semesters. When she first joined, she was still a bit shy and kept to herself. Now, she’s effectively the lead analyst on our team. The pace of her development has been really impressive.”

Kara’s development has extended beyond her immediate responsibilities. She’s involved with Investment20/20, an industry initiative supporting early careers in investment management – and may even speak at schools to share her journey with a younger generation. 

While long-term career goals may still be forming, there’s a clear sense of ambition and momentum: “I’m not entirely sure yet what the future holds, but I do know I’d love to be in some sort of management role within the next ten years. That’s something I’m working towards.” 

And for Kyle, that future may arrive sooner than expected, as he sees leadership potential already taking shape: “I think she’s developing the skills to really meet the needs of our clients – especially in how she communicates and delivers. It’s still early – only eight months into the programme – but I honestly believe Kara could be in a leadership role before the end of the course. I think she’ll be managing people within the next four years. And that’s entirely down to the skills she’s gained through the programme.” 

This kind of growth – personal, professional, and full of possibility – is exactly what Graduate Apprenticeship programmes are designed to unlock. By blending academic learning with real-world experience, it’s helping shape a future-ready workforce from within. 

Visit our careers page to learn more about Graduate Apprenticeships and other early career opportunities at Aberdeen.